ikea case study solution

​Christopher A. Bartlett; Vincent Dessain; Anders Sjoman Harvard Business Review ( 906414-PDF-ENG ) May 03, 2006

Case questions answered:

Case study questions answered in the first solution:

• How should Barner deal with the child labor issue in relation to its sourcing activities in India? For example, should the company continue to source their rugs from India, or should they leave? If they decide to stay in India, should they deal with the child labor issue through their own suppliers or allow Rugmark to monitor the issue on their behalf? Or is there another option, and if so, what? Answer these questions as though you are a member of an internal project team that is directly assisting Barner.
• State the key problems that Barner has to address in relation to IKEA’s sourcing activities in India.
• Evaluate possible, mutually exclusive options in solving the key problems.
• Justify why your suggested option is the best possible option.
• Propose a brief implementation plan that outlines what actions should be prioritized and why.

Case study questions answered in the second solution:

• Should the company continue to try to deal with the issue through its own relationships with its suppliers?
• Should it step back and allow Rugmark to monitor the use of child labor on its behalf?
• Or should it recognize that the problem was too deeply embedded in the culture of these countries for it to have any real impact and simply withdraw?

Not the questions you were looking for? Submit your own questions & get answers .

IKEA's Global Sourcing Challenge: Indian Rugs and Child Labor (A) Case Answers

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge: Indian Rugs and Child Labor (A)

This report is based on the Indian Rugs and Child Labour issues faced by IKEA. In this report, the Project Management Team will analyze the major issues faced by the company in relation to the involvement of its suppliers in child labor.

This report will evaluate whether IKEA should stay and source rugs from Indian suppliers. Simultaneously, it would deal with the child labor issues independently, rely on the Rugmark monitoring program, or leave the Indian market entirely. Additionally, it would also tackle whether IKEA should continue its partnership with Rangan Exports.

The report will, thus, directly assist the Business Area Manager, Marianne Barner, by outlining and evaluating the key issue of Child Labour in the Indian Rug market, analyzing potential solutions, and providing recommendations and a strategy to move forward.

The report will commence by identifying the underlying issues such as outsourcing, child labor, and negative publicity, followed by an evaluation of various options, as a result of which staying in India by forming a partnership with the Rugmark Foundation and incorporating certain initiatives on its own to mitigate the issues is recommended as the best course of action.

The report develops further by providing recommendations that could be used now or back in 1990, such as terminating its contract with Rangan exports, conducting surprise inspections, forming a new policy framework, and so on to help IKEA follow up on its decision to stay in the Indian market and later presenting an implementation plan to facilitate the process with well-defined short-term and long-term action plan.

INTRODUCTION

As the world’s largest furniture retailer, IKEA serves more than 1.6 billion people and employs more than 194,000 people across 49 countries (“IKEA 2017 by numbers”, 2018).

The Swedish company IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad with a vision to create a better life for many people. Therefore, the aim of the company is to provide affordable and inexpensive well-designed furniture to people while incurring the least possible costs.

Along with a few external factors, this cost-conscious objective of IKEA paved the way for outsourcing from international suppliers. IKEA aims to build long-term relationships. As a result, it invested in teaching its processes and know-how as well as providing machinery to its suppliers.

In the 1980s, IKEA was accused of having exceeded the limits for formaldehyde emissions. Although IKEA took quick measures to mitigate the issue, the damage was done.

In 1994, IKEA was again in the middle of a storm when the issue of child labor used by its suppliers in countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan was brought to light by a Swedish Documentary. Due to the documentary’s emphasis and IKEA’s brand name, the corporate image of the company was further affected immensely.

Although the company actively took steps to alleviate the issues by creating contracts to prohibit child labor, a documentary was already in the process of broadcasting IKEA’s supplier’s – Rangan Exports – involvement in child labor.

SWOT ANALYSIS

IKEA, being a multinational company, has several notable qualities as well as weaknesses.

The following SWOT analysis will evaluate them:

The SWOT analysis shows that IKEA has a very…

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• Harvard Business School →
• Faculty & Research →
• March 2016 (Revised January 2017)
• HBS Case Collection
• Format: Print
• | Language: English
• | Pages: 16

About The Author

Eric J. Van den Steen

Related work.

• Faculty Research
• IKEA  By: Eric Van den Steen and Alon Galor

Table of Contents

Ikea target audience, ikea marketing channels, ikea marketing strategy, ikea marketing strategy 2024: a case study.

Become a Certified Marketing Expert in 8 Months

Ikea serves the unique functional needs of each target audience, with special attention to 16-34-year-old adults. It has solutions for:

• Single people not living at home
• Newly married couples
• Families with the youngest child under six
• Older married couples with dependent children
• No children families
• Labor force
• Professionals 

Thus, it uses the following types of product positioning :

• Mono-segment positioning. It appeals to the needs and wants of a single customer segment that is cost-conscious and prefers value for money.
• Adaptive positioning. It believes in periodically repositioning products and services to adapt to changes in customer preferences. Its Swedish furniture chain considers the dynamic nature of customer preferences. For instance, its latest products reflect increasing minimalism on the global scale. 

Ikea utilizes the power of the following marketing channels: 

• Mobile Application
• WebEngage: Email, SMS, and Whatsapp Marketing
• Social Media
• Telecalling
• Commercials

The Ikea marketing strategy contributes majorly to its success because it's original, imaginative, and distinctive while maintaining a transparent value proposition.

A Creative, Consistent Brand Theme

From the Swedish national colors on its buildings to rich meatballs in its store cafeterias, Ikea's marketing strategy reflects its cultural heritage proudly. It infuses all elements of their identity with a sense of self-assuredness that maintains their identity in the market of stiff competition. 

Emphasizing Affordability and Sustainability 

Understanding that a simple tiered strategy won't encourage repeat business, Ikea extends customization, flexibility, and mix-and-match furniture modules. It effectively combines the elements of affordability and sustainability in its marketing strategy to ensure success.

While the furniture options don't pledge a lifelong guarantee, the products are built to last. Even its reusable shopping bags reflect its commitment to sustainability.

Sponsorship and Influencers 

IKEA-sponsored comedic series Easy to Assemble. Its innovative content marketing was way different from a furniture product demo. Incorporating sponsored digital marketing campaigns and social media influencers have boosted the Ikea marketing strategy. 

Ikea’s Easy to Assemble Series

Exceptional In-store Experience

Ikea brilliantly displays products employing the best lighting systems to generate more sales. It strategically arranges best-matched items in mock rooms to encourage impulse purchases and inspire decor. The company also extends excellent customer service to provide a memorable experience and incite customers to come back for more.

Ikea’s Store Decor for Inspiration

Learn About the Purdue Digital Marketing Bootcamp

Website and Mobile Application Marketing

Ikea ensures an optimal mobile website's speed, button displays and gesture controls on its website and mobile app to retain and attract individuals to the site. It carefully invests in its UI/UX , enquiry-based chatbot, and regular updates on new offers, discounts, and promotions. 

One of the most successful marketing moves includes downloading its 3D modeling app to envision a dream home. It's one of its most successful marketing moves that allows IKEA to upsell its low-demand items by creating a desire in its customers to revamp the room.

Ikea’s Website With Engaging Content

Ikea's SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Ikea's marketing strategy aims at enhancing the site's visibility for relevant searches to attract the attention of new and existing customers. It includes the right product-specific keywords and Google advertisements to further augment its organic ranking .  

Ikea Ranking for Bookcases on Google’s First Page

Ikea's SMM (Social Media Marketing)

Ikea's handles are very active on digital marketing platforms like Facebook, Instagram , Twitter, and Youtube . Their digital presence is impressive, with more than 30 Million likes on Facebook, 1 Million followers on Instagram, 5.3k followers on Twitter, and 41.2k subscribers on YouTube.

Ikea’s Instagram Profile

Its Instagram bio links to its website. The website also has links to its various social media posts. Its 'view shop' and 'call' options for product catalog and direct assistance, respectively, are a testament to a well-crafted Ikea marketing strategy.   

Ikea’s Youtube Advertisements 

IKEA also conducts free online workshops that lure lots of enthusiastic customers, resulting in gaining leads.

Ikea’s Online Workshop Ad

Content Marketing

Ikea relies on its content marketing strategy to create a distinguished presence amongst furniture brands. Its commercials, print ads, social media, and website stands out with attention-grabbing content. It combines innovation and humor to present the brand's core values and inspire people. 

Ikea’s Captivating Commercial 

Ikea Marketing Strategy bears testimony to a well-thought and structured marketing venture. Sign-up for our Digital Marketing Specialist and learn more about marketing case studies published by Harvard Business. You will be taught by experts from facebook and Purdue University. Sign-up for the course TODAY!

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IKEA Case Study| History of IKEA| IKEA Business Model

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August 31, 2019

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Ikea Case Study- (Business Model)

2 Minute Summary

IKEA is one of the biggest furniture companies in the world founded by a carpenter named Ingvar Kamprad who was 17-year-old, in Sweden in 1943. Everybody knows that Ikea offers the products at a very lower price than any retail shop. Ikea has invested 800 crores in India, It has more than 9500 Products and has more than 350 stores in 35 countries. the new store is spread across 400,000 square feet in the southern city of Hyderabad & plans to invest 105 billion rupees in India. the company is a non-profit. IKEA employs about 135,000 people. Because of tax rules for non-profits, IKEA pays about 33 times fewer taxes than their for-profit competitors. The Ikea trademark and the concept is owned by another private company named Inter Ikea Systems. It acquired TaskRabbit on Sep 28, 2017. IKEA has many mobile apps. But the most popular app is IKEA STORE. The app is having almost 9,60,333 monthly downloads. IKEA is the lead investor in 4 companies. Full Detail in Blog.

Everybody knows that Ikea offers the products at a very lower price than any retail shop.

In this blog, we’ll talk about Ikea Case Study(Business Model) as the Swedish furniture company opened its first retail store in India.

Like Walmart acquired Flipkart and entered the Indian Market. Ikea can destroy the Whole Furniture Market in India.

Ikea has invested 800 crores in India, It has more than 9500 Products and has more than 350 stores in 35 countries.

According to CNN , the new store is spread across 400,000 square feet in the southern city of Hyderabad & plans to invest 105 billion rupees in India.

But have you ever wondered? How does Ikea work?

What is the meaning of IKEA?

How IKEA works?

How IKEA business model earns ?

You must have many questions regarding IKEA, like What is the meaning of IKEA?

What is IKEA?

How IKEA earns?

This will be the most detailed case study on IKEA.

I will be answering all of your questions.

Let’s START WITH

WHAT IS IKEA?

IKEA is one of the biggest furniture companies in the world founded by a carpenter named Ingvar Kamprad who was 17-year-old, in Sweden in 1943.

IKEA is a globally renowned furniture retailer that sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchenware and home accessories.

 The company started with selling pens, wallets, jewellery with the concept of meeting consumers demands at the most affordable prices.

After five years into the business, IKEA brought in the furniture. Since then furniture has been the mainstream for the business.

IKEA furniture is now a well-known multinational brand.

IKEA MEANING

You must be wondering that what is the story behind the unique name the brand has.

The name IKEA isn’t just a fun.. it stands for – Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.

Short-form is cooler to pronounce right? But it actually has a deeper meaning.

The first two letters of IKEA i.e. I and K are the initials of the name of the founder Ingvar Kamprad.

While ‘E’ comes from the name of the farm he grew up on – Elmtaryd.

And the last letter ‘A’ comes from the Swedish village, Agunnaryd,

where the farm was located.

HOW IKEA EARNS? – IKEA BUSINESS MODEL

They follow Price-leadership model. Low prices are the main concern stone of the IKEA vision, business idea and concept.

In the world of IKEA furnishings, the products are named after Swedish towns like Aneboda, Akurum and Anordna.

But the costumers worry less about the names and care more about how much they cost.

Ikea furniture is a beacon for bargain hunters. Its whole business model evolves around selling their product at the lowest price possible.

IKEA business model revolves around their vision which is – offering a very wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at so low prices that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.

Anybody can make a high-quality product for a high price, or a poor-quality product for a low price.

IKEA follows a different approach, they have developed methods that are both cost-efficient and innovative. Before designing the product… they decide the price tag.

Their designers begin with designing of the product after keeping the price in mind. The IKEA Group has 31 distribution centres in 16 different countries, supplying goods to IKEA stores. It has about 45 trading service offices in 31 countries.

They have very close relationships with their 1,350 suppliers in 50 countries.

IKEA’S SMART SECRET

Is IKEA – a Non- profit organization. ?

You must be having a lot of questions by now, like if IKEA is a non

profit organization then –

How do they manage their running cost?

Where all the money goes away?

Where does all this money earned is utilised?

You will get all your answer right away as you continue reading.

I would say a big YES,

IKEA has a little known secret: the company is a non-profit

They grew with a vision that states ‘to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible. And on a mission to offer a wide range of home furnishing products at a price so low that as many people will be able to afford them.’

Besides the vision and mission, the main motive of showing itself a non profit organization could seem as business-driven.

IKEA employs about 135,000 people. Because of tax rules for non- profits, IKEA pays about 33 times fewer taxes than their for-profit competitors.

There is one more big hole in this whole IKEA non-profit organization.

Money is not trapped inside Ikea’s foundation.

The Ikea trademark and the concept is owned by another private a company named Inter Ikea Systems.

So, to operate Ikea stores and use the brand name, the non-profit Ikea have to make payments each year to the private company – Inter Ikea Systems.

This clearly means money is paid directly from IKEA profits to the owners of this private company to license the trademark.

The beneficiaries or we can say owners of this private company are not publicly recorded, but it’s not hard to speculate that the Kamprad family is on the receiving end of this loophole.

HISTORY – STARTING AND GROWTH OF IKEA

Let’s talk about the exciting history timeline of IKEA.

From the of how it is started to the story of how it evolved exponentially.

It all started in 1926 when founder Ingvar Kamprad is born in Småland

in southern Sweden.

The 1940s-1950s

In the year 1948 – Furniture was introduced into the IKEA range.

Local manufacturers produced the furniture for IKEA in the forests close

to Ingvar Kamprad's home.

In the year 1956 – IKEA came up with the idea of designing furniture for

flat packs. It started focusing on self-assembling furniture models.

In the year 1980s – IKEA expands dramatically into new markets such

as the USA, Italy, France and the UK.

In the year 1984,

Ikea family was introduced a new club for the customers was launched.

Today, Ikea family is in 16 countries (over 167 stores) and has about 15

million members.

FINANCIAL FACTS AND FIGURES

Categories – Consumer Electronics, Furniture, Retail, Shopping, Smart Home.

Headquarters –   European Union (EU)

Founded Date –   1943

Founders – Ingvar Kamprad

No. of Employees – 10001 +

Legal Name –  IKEA BV

Digital links

Website –  www.ikea.com/

Facebook- www.facebook.com/IKEAIndia

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/ikea-group/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/IKEAUSA

Till now IKEA has only 1 acquisition.

It acquired  TaskRabbit  on Sep 28, 2017

Mobile app and its downloads

IKEA has many mobile apps. But the most popular app is IKEA STORE.

The app is having almost 9,60,333 monthly downloads.

Website and its monthly traffic IKEA is ranked 166 among websites globally.

And having almost 146,040,680 monthly visitors.

Investments

IKEA is the lead investor in 4 companies. Those are –

XL HYBRIDS – IKEA announced its investment in this company on

October 12, 2017

MAT SMART – IKEA announced its investment in Massmart on Jan

TRAEMAND – IKEA announced its investment in Traemand on Dec

LIVSPACE – IKEA announced its investment in Livspace on Dec 19,

MANAGEMENT AND THE CORE TEAM

CEO – Jesper Brodin

CFO – Alistair Davidson

FOUNDER – Ingvar Kamprad

HEAD OF CORPORATE FINANCE & TAX – Krister Mattsson

HEAD OF DIGITAL – Christian Moehring

HEAD OF E-COMMERCE, SOUTHEAST ASIA – Koen Besteman

HEAD OF UK MARKETING PROCUREMENT – Maria Malpartida

HEAD OF INNOVATION – Jens Heitland

8 IKEA Marketing Strategy

Many people confuse marketing with promotion. People believe that marketing is something you do to sell your product. But, this is not completely true. Marketing begins even before the production stage, as designing a product based on the demand and needs of the customers is also a part of marketing. This is what IKEA Believes in. Everything in IKEA is from a customer’s point of view. Let’s dive deep into learning different strategies of IKEA.

1. Amazing Customer Experience

Have you tried shopping from IKEA? If not, then I would strongly recommend you to try IKEA next time you need a piece of furniture.SHopping at an IKEA store is a different experience than shopping from any other furniture store. Whenever adults go out shopping with their kids, both the kids and parents face issues.

IKEA has got an amazing solution for this where none of them would feel any type of burden and in fact, both of them would like to spend more time at the IKEA store. Yes, I am talking about the free childcare facility provided by the IKEA stores. You can just leave your child safely with them and enjoy hustle free shopping and the child will also spend some quality time playing and making new friends.

Another amazing thing is that instead of standing and having a long discussion about which product to buy and calculating your cost, you can have a seat ad enjoy your paneer butter masala meal while discussing the furniture.

These little things not only add a value to the customers shopping experience but also give them a reason to visit again and even suggest others to visit the store.

2. Brand Identity

In such a competitive environment, is it very important to stand out or be unique and creative to survive? You have to build your brand in such a way that customers prefer you over other companies.IKEA is very strongly working with this. Its goal is to become the leader of every home.

IKEA focuses more on the product and the customers which a lot of companies fail to do. If you create what your customers want then you can build a good brand identity. Your every action should be a signal of your brand.IKEA uses this technique in its advertising. If you have been following IKEA for a while then you will not have to think a lot you can recognise directly that this is an IKEA ad.

3. Content Marketing

With the growing digital environment, the content has become an important element of the digital industry. Content is used by most of the companies to promote their product digitally. From a picture art to a long written blog anything can be used as content in digital marketing.

One of the best strategies you can use in this digital era is to interact with your customers directly.IKEA uses all types of contents to reach out to their customers. From images, videos to textual content IKEA has it all. To reach your customers digitally, it is very important to identify your potential audience, basically defining who your customers are. Then the most important step is defining how your potential customers can find you?IS is through your social media handles or is it through your website or a combination of all these. And then you need to target them both organically and by paid promotion techniques.

4. Social Media

Social media is something which cannot be avoided. Everyone nowadays uses social media, thanks to the internet revolution and jio revolution in India. Your presence on every social media platform is must, it doesn’t matter if you are an old company or a new one. Social media allows you to be in constant touch with your customers. You can use various strategies across your social media platforms that can help you create trust and a good brand image in front of your customers and also develop new customers.

There are a few strategies which you can follow.

• If you follow a consistent posting schedule, then you can have a good content interaction as regular posts can make your customers think about you.
• You can also use promotional strategies provided by social media companies to reach a new audience and attract them by telling them about your new products and offers.
• Another important feature of social media that you can use is to understand your audience. Understanding your audience is important because they are the ultimate consumers and having clarity about the consumers makes it possible for a brand to plan its products and marketing accordingly.

5. Innovation

IKEA is very famous for new designs and products. It keeps on constantly adding a new design or a new to product to its collection. This allows customers to visit the store even if they do not want to buy anything so that they can check the latest trends and products. If you check their social media handles, you will find a lot of different types of content that displays new and innovative products. This is a very good strategy as your customers stay updated with your products. Even if they do not add the products to their cark at the moment, they still add it to their wishlist. Which indirectly gets converted into sales. Thus, innovation in products and making innovation reach your customers is very important.

6. Creative Marketing Campaigns

IKEA is very creative when it comes to marketing. Their posts are so engaging that you want to click on it and see them that what is there. The example given below demonstrates how one will swipe right to see what they have for you. Isn’t it creative? If you observe, they have made good use of the present condition in a creative way. Similarly, a humorous and creative content strategy can help you get more engagements.

7. Amazing Use of Technology

Living in the 21st century, you can make amazing use of technology to provide a great experience to your customers. Augmented reality and virtual reality are some great examples of technology can you can use especially in such industries.IKEA makes use of both these augmented realities and the virtual reality

What is Augmented Reality?

This is the most amazing use of technology that IKEA could have done. With this, you can use your mobile phone to see how a piece of particular furniture would look at your home. You can also use this to decide at which corner of the house that particular furniture would look good. This is like a trial technology where you can try the products virtually at the comfort of your home without actually buying it. It is similar to something used by Lenskart.

What is Virtual Reality?

Yet another amazing use of technology. Where most of the people are busy using virtual reality for gaming purposes, IKEA has its smart use. Through virtual reality technology, IKEA allows its customers to feel the look of the furniture. For example, say you want to buy a modular kitchen, you can try the kitchen before actually buying it in a virtual reality headset. The most amazing part is that you can try cooking and get real experience.

8. Payments Methods

Consumers have become a lot more advanced than before. Customers need comfort. Since the evolution of the digital era, there are a lot of different methods of payment. Every consumer has different payment options. It becomes important to have all the options available so that the customers get a hustle free shopping experience. As already, IKEA is a price dominant company, best price with all modes of payments is like a cherry on the cake.

Unknown Facts About IKEA

• Ikea is the third-largest wood consumer on the planet. Being the leading furniture company it should not be shocking.
• IKEA is claimed to print more copies of its annual catalogue each year than the bible.
• IKEA has very good food sales. Being known for its furniture has a very good taste when it comes to their restaurant. This can be a great contribution to their revenue as they have an approximate sale of 2 billion annually.
• As in 2014, they have 716 million visitors to their store. This is a very huge number.
•  The first IKEA restaurant was launched in 1956 to feed its customers that would feel hungry after spending the whole day shopping.

SWOT Analysis of IKEA

* Its vision – ‘to create a better everyday life for many people’

* Economies of scale

* Lowest Price

* Countless designs

* Bad press

* Low quality

* Difficulty to control standards across locations.

OPPORTUNITY

* Solutions for a sustainable life at home

* Developing social responsibility

* The recession slows down consumer spending

* More competitors entering the low price household and furnishings

IKEA is one of the biggest furniture companies in the world founded by a carpenter named Ingvar Kamprad who was 17-year-old, in Sweden in 1943.

The company started with selling pens, wallets, jewellery with the concept of meeting consumers demands at the most affordable prices.

IKEA KEY VALUES

They are very strict about their values.

They firmly believe that every individual has something valuable to

Let’s look at some of there core values –

1. Cost – Consciousness

Their first priority is to make their product affordable to as many

people as possible. They challenge themselves constantly to make

the product more affordable without compromising on quality.

2. Renew and Improve

They always challenge themselves to try something new and to find a

a better way out.

3. Caring for People and Planet

They believe in caring for people as well as for the environment.

They act as a force for a positive change.

IKEA IN INDIA

In 2006, Ikea first displayed an interest in the Indian market but back then

the Indian laws allowed only 51 per cent foreign ownership.

With the government of India relaxing the norms for foreign direct

investment (FDI) in single-brand retail, IKEA announced in October

their intention to open stores in India.

IKEA opened its first store in India on Aug 9, 2018.

It took IKEA 12 long years to enter the Indian market.

The first store in India was opened in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad, the southern Indian city gave it a roaring welcome.

So far, more than 3 million customers have visited IKEA Hyderabad

store and about 8 million have visited IKEA’s India website

In the year 2016, Ikea purchased land in Mumbai and said that it planned

to open stores in Bengaluru and Delhi too.

After Hyderabad, in 2019 IKEA has launched its first online store in

Mumbai is offering more than 7,500 products.

It will provide delivery to most of the locations in Mumbai and will have

a delivery time of four to seven days, subject to availability and distance.

In India, IKEA currently has more than 55+ suppliers.

Also, have more than 45,000 direct employees and 400,000 people in the

extended supply chain.

Now, the company plans to have more than 25 stores in India by 2025.

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IKEA Case Study Analysis

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Sustainability at ikea group case study analysis & solution, harvard business case studies solutions - assignment help.

Sustainability at IKEA Group is a Harvard Business (HBR) Case Study on Strategy & Execution , Fern Fort University provides HBR case study assignment help for just $11. Our case solution is based on Case Study Method expertise & our global insights.

Strategy & Execution Case Study | Authors :: V. Kasturi Rangan, Michael W. Toffel, Vincent Dessain, Jerome Lenhardt

Case study description.

By 2014, IKEA Group was the largest home furnishing company, with EUR28.5 billion of sales, and planned to reach EUR50 billion by 2020, mainly from emerging markets. At the same time, IKEA Group had adopted in 2012 a new sustainability strategy that focused the company's efforts on its entire value chain from its raw materials sourcing to the lifestyle of its end consumers. The plan especially centered on wood, which represented 60% of IKEA Group's total procurement in volume and constituted a key lever for the company to increase its positive impact on sustainability. IKEA Group Management therefore had to decide how to manage its portfolio of wood sustainability initiatives, especially in the context of the company's aggressive growth plan.

Marketing, Social enterprise, Supply chain, Sustainability

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Even before you start reading a business case study just make sure that you have brushed up the Harvard Business Review (HBR) fundamentals on the Strategy & Execution. Brushing up HBR fundamentals will provide a strong base for investigative reading. Often readers scan through the business case study without having a clear map in mind. This leads to unstructured learning process resulting in missed details and at worse wrong conclusions. Reading up the HBR fundamentals helps in sketching out business case study analysis and solution roadmap even before you start reading the case study. It also provides starting ideas as fundamentals often provide insight into some of the aspects that may not be covered in the business case study itself.

Step 2 - Reading the Sustainability at IKEA Group HBR Case Study

To write an emphatic case study analysis and provide pragmatic and actionable solutions, you must have a strong grasps of the facts and the central problem of the HBR case study. Begin slowly - underline the details and sketch out the business case study description map. In some cases you will able to find the central problem in the beginning itself while in others it may be in the end in form of questions. Business case study paragraph by paragraph mapping will help you in organizing the information correctly and provide a clear guide to go back to the case study if you need further information. My case study strategy involves -

• Marking out the protagonist and key players in the case study from the very start.
• Drawing a motivation chart of the key players and their priorities from the case study description.
• Refine the central problem the protagonist is facing in the case and how it relates to the HBR fundamentals on the topic.
• Evaluate each detail in the case study in light of the HBR case study analysis core ideas.

Step 3 - Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Analysis

Once you are comfortable with the details and objective of the business case study proceed forward to put some details into the analysis template. You can do business case study analysis by following Fern Fort University step by step instructions -

• Company history is provided in the first half of the case. You can use this history to draw a growth path and illustrate vision, mission and strategic objectives of the organization. Often history is provided in the case not only to provide a background to the problem but also provide the scope of the solution that you can write for the case study.
• HBR case studies provide anecdotal instances from managers and employees in the organization to give a feel of real situation on the ground. Use these instances and opinions to mark out the organization's culture, its people priorities & inhibitions.
• Make a time line of the events and issues in the case study. Time line can provide the clue for the next step in organization's journey. Time line also provides an insight into the progressive challenges the company is facing in the case study.

Step 4 - SWOT Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group

Once you finished the case analysis, time line of the events and other critical details. Focus on the following -

• Zero down on the central problem and two to five related problems in the case study.
• Do the SWOT analysis of the Sustainability at IKEA Group . SWOT analysis is a strategic tool to map out the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that a firm is facing.
• SWOT analysis and SWOT Matrix will help you to clearly mark out - Strengths Weakness Opportunities & Threats that the organization or manager is facing in the Sustainability at IKEA Group
• SWOT analysis will also provide a priority list of problem to be solved.
• You can also do a weighted SWOT analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group HBR case study.

Step 5 - Porter 5 Forces / Strategic Analysis of Industry Analysis Sustainability at IKEA Group

In our live classes we often come across business managers who pinpoint one problem in the case and build a case study analysis and solution around that singular point. Business environments are often complex and require holistic solutions. You should try to understand not only the organization but also the industry which the business operates in. Porter Five Forces is a strategic analysis tool that will help you in understanding the relative powers of the key players in the business case study and what sort of pragmatic and actionable case study solution is viable in the light of given facts.

Step 6 - PESTEL, PEST / STEP Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group

Another way of understanding the external environment of the firm in Sustainability at IKEA Group is to do a PESTEL - Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental & Legal analysis of the environment the firm operates in. You should make a list of factors that have significant impact on the organization and factors that drive growth in the industry. You can even identify the source of firm's competitive advantage based on PESTEL analysis and Organization's Core Competencies.

Step 7 - Organizing & Prioritizing the Analysis into Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Solution

Once you have developed multipronged approach and work out various suggestions based on the strategic tools. The next step is organizing the solution based on the requirement of the case. You can use the following strategy to organize the findings and suggestions.

• Build a corporate level strategy - organizing your findings and recommendations in a way to answer the larger strategic objective of the firm. It include using the analysis to answer the company's vision, mission and key objectives , and how your suggestions will take the company to next level in achieving those goals.
• Business Unit Level Solution - The case study may put you in a position of a marketing manager of a small brand. So instead of providing recommendations for overall company you need to specify the marketing objectives of that particular brand. You have to recommend business unit level recommendations. The scope of the recommendations will be limited to the particular unit but you have to take care of the fact that your recommendations are don't directly contradict the company's overall strategy. For example you can recommend a low cost strategy but the company core competency is design differentiation.
• Case study solutions can also provide recommendation for the business manager or leader described in the business case study.

Step 8 -Implementation Framework

The goal of the business case study is not only to identify problems and recommend solutions but also to provide a framework to implement those case study solutions. Implementation framework differentiates good case study solutions from great case study solutions. If you able to provide a detailed implementation framework then you have successfully achieved the following objectives -

• Detailed understanding of the case,
• Clarity of HBR case study fundamentals,
• Analyzed case details based on those fundamentals and
• Developed an ability to prioritize recommendations based on probability of their successful implementation.

Implementation framework helps in weeding out non actionable recommendations, resulting in awesome Sustainability at IKEA Group case study solution.

Step 9 - Take a Break

Once you finished the case study implementation framework. Take a small break, grab a cup of coffee or whatever you like, go for a walk or just shoot some hoops.

Step 10 - Critically Examine Sustainability at IKEA Group case study solution

After refreshing your mind, read your case study solution critically. When we are writing case study solution we often have details on our screen as well as in our head. This leads to either missing details or poor sentence structures. Once refreshed go through the case solution again - improve sentence structures and grammar, double check the numbers provided in your analysis and question your recommendations. Be very slow with this process as rushing through it leads to missing key details. Once done it is time to hit the attach button.

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Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Study Solution Analysis

by HBR Twenty One

Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Study Solution & Analysis. Get Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Study Analysis & Solution. Contact us directly at buycasesolutions(at)gmail(dot)com if you want to order for Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Solution, Case... More

Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Study Solution & Analysis. Get Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Study Analysis & Solution. Contact us directly at buycasesolutions(at)gmail(dot)com if you want to order for Sustainability At Ikea Group Case Solution, Case Analysis, Case Study Solution. V. Kasturi Rangan, Michael W. Toffel, Vincent Dessain, Jerome Lenhardt Less

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Solution & Analysis Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Solution & Analysis. Our tutors are available 24/7 to assist in your academic stuff, Our Professional writers are ready to serve you in services you need. Every Case Study Solution & Analysis is prepared from scratch, top quality, plagiarism free. Authors: V. Kasturi Rangan, Michael W. Toffel, Vincent Dessain, Jerome Lenhardt Get Case Study Solution and Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group in a FAIR PRICE!! Steps for Case Study Solution & Analysis: 1. Introduction of Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Solution The Sustainability at IKEA Group case study is a Harvard Business Review case study, which presents a simulated practical experience to the reader allowing them to learn about real life problems in the business world. The Sustainability at IKEA Group case consisted of a central issue to the organization, which had to be identified, analysed and creative solutions had to be drawn to tackle the issue. This paper presents the solved Sustainability at IKEA Group case analysis and case solution. The method through which the analysis is done is mentioned, followed by the relevant tools used in finding the solution. The case solution first identifies the central issue to the Sustainability at IKEA Group case study, and the relevant stakeholders affected by this issue. This is known as the problem identification stage. After this, the relevant tools and models are used, which help in the case study analysis and case study solution. The tools used in identifying the solution consist of the SWOT Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, VRIO analysis, Value Chain Analysis, BCG Matrix analysis, Ansoff Matrix analysis, and the Marketing Mix analysis. The solution consists of recommended strategies to overcome this central issue. It is a good idea to also propose alternative case study solutions, because if the main solution is not found feasible, then the alternative solutions could be implemented. Lastly, a good case study solution also includes an implementation plan for the recommendation strategies. This shows how through a step-by-step procedure as to how the central issue can be resolved. Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] 2. Problem Identification of Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Solution Harvard Business Review cases involve a central problem that is being faced by the organization and these problems affect a number of stakeholders. In the problem identification stage, the problem faced by Sustainability at IKEA Group is identified through reading of the case. This could be mentioned at the start of the reading, the middle or the end. At times in a case analysis, the problem may be clearly evident in the reading of the HBR case. At other times, finding the issue is the job of the person analysing the case. It is also important to understand what stakeholders are affected by the problem and how. The goals of the stakeholders and are the organization are also identified to ensure that the case study analysis are consistent with these. 3. Analysis of the Sustainability at IKEA Group HBR Case Study The objective of the case should be focused on. This is doing the Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Solution. This analysis can be proceeded in a step-by-step procedure to ensure that effective solutions are found. In the first step, a growth path of the company can be formulated that lays down its vision, mission and strategic aims. These can usually be developed using the company history is provided in the case. Company history is helpful in a Business Case study as it helps one understand what the scope of the solutions will be for the case study. The next step is of understanding the company; its people, their priorities and the overall culture. This can be done by using company history. It can also be done by looking at anecdotal instances of managers or employees that are usually included in an HBR case study description to give the reader a real feel of the situation. Lastly, a timeline of the issues and events in the case needs to be made. Arranging events in a timeline allows one to predict the next few events that are likely to take place. It also helps one in developing the case study solutions. The timeline also helps in understanding the continuous challenges that are being faced by the organisation. 4. SWOT analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group An important tool that helps in addressing the central issue of the case and coming up with Sustainability at IKEA Group HBR case solution is the SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool that lists down in the form of a matrix, an organisation's internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. It helps in the strategic analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Once this listing has been done, a clearer picture can be developed in regards to how strategies will be formed to address the main problem. For example, strengths will be used as an advantage in solving the issue. Therefore, the SWOT analysis is a helpful tool in coming up with the Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study answers. One does not need to remain restricted to using the traditional SWOT analysis, but the advanced TOWS matrix or weighted average SWOT analysis can also be used. 5. Porter Five Forces Analysis for Sustainability at IKEA Group Another helpful tool in finding the case solutions is of Porter's Five Forces analysis. This is also a strategic tool that is used to analyse the competitive environment of the industry in which Sustainability at IKEA Group operates in. Analysis of the industry is important as businesses do not work in isolation in real life, but are affected by the business environment of the industry that they operate in. Harvard Business case studies represent real-life situations, and therefore, an analysis of the industry's competitive environment needs to be carried out to come up with more holistic case study solutions. In Porter's Five Forces analysis, the industry is analysed along 5 dimensions. • These are the threats that the industry faces due to new entrants. • It includes the threat of substitute products. • It includes the bargaining power of buyers in the industry. • It includes the bargaining power of suppliers in an industry. • Lastly, the overall rivalry or competition within the industry is analysed This tool helps one understand the relative powers of the major players in the industry and its overall competitive dynamics. Actionable and practical solutions can then be developed by keeping these factors into perspective. 6. PESTEL Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group Another helpful tool that should be used in finding the case study solutions is the PESTEL analysis. This also looks at the external business environment of the organisation helps in finding case study Analysis to real-life business issues as in HBR cases. • The PESTEL analysis particularly looks at the macro environmental factors that affect the industry. These are the political, environmental, social, technological, environmental and legal (regulatory) factors affecting the industry. • Factors within each of these 6 should be listed down, and analysis should be made as to how these affect the organisation under question. 7. VRIO Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] This is an analysis carried out to know about the internal strengths and capabilities of Sustainability at IKEA Group . Under the VRIO analysis, the following steps are carried out: • The internal resources of Sustainability at IKEA Group are listed down. • Each of these resources are assessed in terms of the value it brings to the organization. • Each resource is assessed in terms of how rare it is. A rare resource is one that is not commonly used by competitors. • Each resource is assessed whether it could be imitated by competition easily or not. • Lastly, each resource is assessed in terms of whether the organization can use it to an advantage or not. • The analysis done on the 4 dimensions; Value, Rareness, Imitability, and Organization. If a resource is high on all of these 4, then it brings long-term competitive advantage. If a resource is high on Value, Rareness, and Imitability, then it brings an unused competitive advantage. If a resource is high on Value and Rareness, then it only brings temporary competitive advantage. If a resource is only valuable, then it’s a competitive parity. If it’s none, then it can be regarded as a competitive disadvantage. 8. Value Chain Analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group The Value chain analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group helps in identifying the activities of an organization, and how these add value in terms of cost reduction and differentiation. This tool is used in the case study analysis as follows: • The firm’s primary and support activities are listed down. • Identifying the importance of these activities in the cost of the product and the differentiation they produce. • Lastly, differentiation or cost reduction strategies are to be used for each of these activities to increase the overall value provided by these activities. Recognizing value creating activities and enhancing the value that they create allow Sustainability at IKEA Group to increase its competitive advantage. 9. BCG Matrix of Sustainability at IKEA Group The BCG Matrix is an important tool in deciding whether an organization should invest or divest in its strategic business units. The matrix involves placing the strategic business units of a business in one of four categories; question marks, stars, dogs and cash cows. The placement in these categories depends on the relative market share of the organization and the market growth of these strategic business units. The steps to be followed in this analysis is as follows: • Identify the relative market share of each strategic business unit. Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] • Identify the market growth of each strategic business unit. • Place these strategic business units in one of four categories. Question Marks are those strategic business units with high market share and low market growth rate. Stars are those strategic business units with high market share and high market growth rate. Cash Cows are those strategic business units with high market share and low market growth rate. Dogs are those strategic business units with low market share and low growth rate. • Relevant strategies should be implemented for each strategic business unit depending on its position in the matrix. The strategies identified from the Sustainability at IKEA Group BCG matrix and included in the case pdf. These are either to further develop the product, penetrate the market, develop the market, diversification, investing or divesting. 10. Ansoff Matrix of Sustainability at IKEA Group Ansoff Matrix is an important strategic tool to come up with future strategies for Sustainability at IKEA Group in the case solution. It helps decide whether an organization should pursue future expansion in new markets and products or should it focus on existing markets and products. • The organization can penetrate into existing markets with its existing products. This is known as market penetration strategy. • The organization can develop new products for the existing market. This is known as product development strategy. • The organization can enter new markets with its existing products. This is known as market development strategy. • The organization can enter into new markets with new products. This is known as a diversification strategy. The choice of strategy depends on the analysis of the previous tools used and the level of risk the organization is willing to take. 11. Marketing Mix of Sustainability at IKEA Group Sustainability at IKEA Group needs to bring out certain responses from the market that it targets. To do so, it will need to use the marketing mix, which serves as a tool in helping bring out responses from the market. The 4 elements of the marketing mix are Product, Price, Place and Promotions. The following steps are required to carry out a marketing mix analysis and include this in the case study analysis. • Analyse the company’s products and devise strategies to improve the product offering of the company. • Analyse the company’s price points and devise strategies that could be based on competition, value or cost. • Analyse the company’s promotion mix. This includes the advertisement, public relations, personal selling, sales promotion, and direct marketing. Strategies will be devised which makes use of a few or all of these elements. Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] • Analyse the company’s distribution and reach. Strategies can be devised to improve the availability of the company’s products. 12. Sustainability at IKEA Group Strategy The strategies devised and included in the Sustainability at IKEA Group case memo should have a strategy. A strategy is a strategy that involves firms seeking uncontested market spaces, which makes the competition of the company irrelevant. It involves coming up with new and unique products or ideas through innovation. This gives the organization a competitive advantage over other firms, unlike a red ocean strategy. 13. Competitors analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group The PESTEL analysis discussed previously looked at the macro environmental factors affecting business, but not the microenvironmental factors. One of the microenvironmental factors are competitors, which are addressed by a competitor analysis. The Competitors analysis of Sustainability at IKEA Group looks at the direct and indirect competitors within the industry that it operates in. • This involves a detailed analysis of their actions and how these would affect the future strategies of Sustainability at IKEA Group . • It involves looking at the current market share of the company and its competitors. • It should compare the marketing mix elements of competitors, their supply chain, human resources, financial strength etc. • It also should look at the potential opportunities and threats that these competitors pose on the company. 14. Organisation of the Analysis into Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Solution Once various tools have been used to analyse the case, the findings of this analysis need to be incorporated into practical and actionable solutions. These solutions will also be the Sustainability at IKEA Group case answers. These are usually in the form of strategies that the organisation can adopt. The following step-by-step procedure can be used to organise the Harvard Business case solution and recommendations: • The first step of the solution is to come up with a corporate level strategy for the organisation. This part consists of solutions that address issues faced by the organisation on a strategic level. This could include suggestions, changes or recommendations to the company's vision, mission and its strategic objectives. It can include recommendations on how the organisation can work towards achieving these strategic objectives. Furthermore, it needs to be explained how the stated recommendations will help in solving the main Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] issue mentioned in the case and where the company will stand in the future as a result of these. • The second step of the solution is to come up with a business level strategy. The HBR case studies may present issues faced by a part of the organisation. For example, the issues may be stated for marketing and the role of a marketing manager needs to be assumed. So, recommendations and suggestions need to address the strategy of the marketing department in this case. Therefore, the strategic objectives of this business unit (Marketing) will be laid down in the solutions and recommendations will be made as to how to achieve these objectives. Similar would be the case for any other business unit or department such as human resources, finance, IT etc. The important thing to note here is that the business level strategy needs to be aligned with the overall corporate strategy of the organisation. For example, if one suggests the organisation to focus on differentiation for competitive advantage as a corporate level strategy, then it can't be recommended for the Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Study Solution that the business unit should focus on costs. • The third step is not compulsory but depends from case to case. In some HBR case studies, one may be required to analyse an issue at a department. This issue may be analysed for a manager or employee as well. In these cases, recommendations need to be made for these people. The solution may state that objectives that these people need to achieve and how these objectives would be achieved. The case study analysis and solution, and Sustainability at IKEA Group case answers should be written down in the Sustainability at IKEA Group case memo, clearly identifying which part shows what. The Sustainability at IKEA Group case should be in a professional format, presenting points clearly that are well understood by the reader. 15. Alternate solution to the Sustainability at IKEA Group HBR case study It is important to have more than one solution to the case study. This is the alternate solution that would be implemented if the original proposed solution is found infeasible or impossible due to a change in circumstances. The alternate solution for Sustainability at IKEA Group is presented in the same way as the original solution, where it consists of a corporate level strategy, business level strategy and other recommendations. 16. Implementation of Sustainability at IKEA Group Case Solution Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] The case study does not end at just providing recommendations to the issues at hand. One is also required to provide how these recommendations would be implemented. This is shown through a proper implementation framework. A detailed implementation framework helps in distinguishing between an average and an above average case study answer. A good implementation framework shows the proposed plan and how the organisations' resources would be used to achieve the objectives. It also lays down the changes needed to be made as well as the assumptions in the process. • A proper implementation framework shows that one has clearly understood the case study and the main issue within it. • It shows that one has been clarified with the HBR fundamentals on the topic. • It shows that the details provided in the case have been properly analysed. • It shows that one has developed an ability to prioritise recommendations and how these could be successfully implemented. • The implementation framework also helps by removing out any recommendations that are not practical or actionable as these could not be implemented. Therefore, the implementation framework ensures that the solution to the Sustainability at IKEA Group Harvard case is complete and properly answered. 17. Recommendations and Action Plan for Sustainability at IKEA Group case analysis For Sustainability at IKEA Group, based on the SWOT Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, VRIO analysis, Value Chain Analysis, BCG Matrix analysis, Ansoff Matrix analysis, and the Marketing Mix analysis, the recommendations and action plan are as follows: • Sustainability at IKEA Group should focus on making use of its strengths identified from the VRIO analysis to make the most of the opportunities identified from the PESTEL. • Sustainability at IKEA Group should enhance the value creating activities within its value chain. • Sustainability at IKEA Group should invest in its stars and cash cows, while getting rid of the dogs identified from the BCG Matrix analysis. • To achieve its overall corporate and business level objectives, it should make use of the marketing mix tools to obtain desired results from its target market. Email us for Any Case Solution at: [email protected] Note: This article is just a sample and not an actual case solution. If you want original case solution, please place your order on the Email.

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What we did

• Vision for transformation
• First e-commerce app
• Global site redesign
• Redefined in-store digital
• Built a design system

Growth in e-commerce in 3 years

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IKEA’s footprint is vast—over two billion people shop a range of 12,000 products in 500+ sales locations in 59 countries and online. But as digital becomes increasingly important—especially in the age of Covid—the retail behemoth needed to modernize and transform their business.

As their digital agency of record, Work & Co defined the vision of a future where technology holistically enhances the customer experience at every interaction. Of course, we didn’t stop there. We also helped bring it to life.

Our first challenge—creating IKEA’s first e-commerce-enabled mobile app—took just 6 months from concept to MVP. From there, we took on the entire multi-channel ecosystem of digital touchpoints, including the website, internal tools, and the stores.

The new experience led to greater efficiency, richer engagements, and incremental revenue.

Recognition & Awards

“It is a completely new experience. The app is combined with the store." Read more

"A bona-fide, full-featured shopping app." Read more

"The approach is sound and offers much to learn from." Read more

Shortlist, Design Week Awards, Best App Design. Read more

Winner, 6X Lovie Awards. Read more

Winner, 3X Platinum Awards. Read more

Finalist, FastCo Innovation by Design Awards, Data Design. Read more

4 Big Takeaways

Defining a vision for product and partnership.

Overhauling web & mobile commerce

A unifying design system

Redefining in-store touch points, bringing ikea into the “now”.

Already a worldwide leader in brick-and-mortar retail, IKEA’s leadership partnered with Work & Co to accelerate their digital transformation. Our team’s first task was to develop a cohesive and tech-savvy vision and strategy around which the global organization could align. We began a months-long process of research and brainstorming and problem solving.

From idea to execution

Once we’d identified effective solutions to the challenges, we drafted a new vision for the customer journey intricately detailed in animations and prototypes, which helped ensure all parties were aligned on the plan: aspirational and sophisticated, but also attainable. Together with IKEA, we established a strategy to work as partners with internal teams, sharing design and development labor, openly exchanging ideas and feedback, and even providing guidance on IKEA’s hiring strategies.

Overhauling web & mobile commerce

Personalized inspiration.

To bring IKEA’s famed catalog to life for the digitally native, the app leads with inspiration. Customers browse the app the same way they would IKEA’s showroom—imagining how products complement their home or aesthetic—but with technology enhancing the journey.

A new AI-powered API suggests images based on a customer’s interests and evolving taste. Our cross-platform CMS allows editors to create content once, then deploy them across both the app and IKEA.com. And to bring over 760 collections to life, our team of writers built new engaging copy that scales no matter the country.

Category-specific experiences

From mattresses to lightbulbs to kitchens and beyond, the variety of products IKEA offers are presented and sold in a myriad of ways. The flexible digital designs enable a shopping experience optimized by category and use. Inspiration galleries, planners, guides, and other content can easily be added to help shoppers find their perfect option, plus accessories and add-ons to complete the look. With around 250,000 SKUs per market, this aspect of our work was essential.

Ethical data usage

Industry-leading contextual digital tools raise the bar on data transparency and give customers control over how data is collected, stored, and used. Customers can choose if and how the company uses information—such as their IKEA browsing history, previous purchases, and product preferences—to inform product recommendations in its app, and eventually on its website. To aid explanation of these abstract concepts to users, we explored evolving the iconic IKEA assembly character as an approachable guide.

Consistency at scale

To address the challenge of keeping consistent design across all of the different touchpoints, we worked with IKEA to build a new design system. Skapa is a single source of truth for global button styles, iconography, interaction patterns, and motion libraries brought to life in one React Storybook component library. Components are strategically added and removed over time, meaning the design system is treated as a product that will never stop evolving, while simultaneously keeping the brand universally aligned.

Branding and tone of voice

From a custom icon set to branded price presentation and rigorous color guidelines, each component infuses the IKEA branding into our digital platforms. To complete our design system, we also established a new, digital-first tone of voice with dynamic writing guidelines. Now, writers, designers, motion designers, and developers have everything they need to produce new work across the digital ecosystem.

Integrated accessibility

By including best practices for accessibility into design components, we ensure our digital products are natively inclusive. Solutions are defined once, and repeated throughout development.

Global adoption

A design system is only successful if it’s used globally by an organization. That’s why we helped IKEA establish strategies for training tailored to user types and knowledge levels, advocating for adoption, maintenance and upkeep of components and documentation, and hiring a team dedicated to its management. These critical pieces helped to ensure long term success.

New ways to shop

Part of IKEA’s transformation includes the introduction of new store formats—spaces dedicated to browsing, planning, and ordering—in addition to the traditional locations. The new ecosystem Work & Co delivered integrates digital and physical across all stores in new ways, enhancing the experience for both shoppers and co-workers. New digital tools and features provide more relevant product browsing and interactions, personalized recommendations and shopping lists, and seamless checkout processes—all tailored to the shoppers’ preferences and needs.

Digital touchpoints are integrated to bridge the omni-channel experience. In-store features give users the ability to scan products, explore options and accessories, then skip the checkout line while in the physical store, reducing customer stress and simplifying the path to purchase.

We helped create Upptäcka, a replacement for the aging digital in-store installations. These new kiosks integrate with each other and the overall IKEA digital ecosystem, reducing one-off solutions. Upptäcka adapts to each store and location, making it the most contextually relevant digital touchpoint at IKEA.

Employee tools

Fixa is a task management app designed to digitize time-consuming paper-based processes, making co-workers more efficient and effective, freeing up time to focus on customers. Co-workers have called it “the best product IKEA has ever given them.”

Partner with us

Work & Co, part of Accenture Song, is trusted by the world’s leading companies to drive growth and bring innovative solutions to market. Together we can build and scale your core digital products.

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IKEA stores owner Ingka seeks green energy expansion in S.Korea, Japan

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Sustainability

Terraform Labs and founder Do Kwon found liable in US civil fraud trial

A jury in Manhattan found Singapore-based Terraform Labs and its founder Do Kwon liable on civil fraud charges on Friday, agreeing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that they misled investors before their stablecoin's 2022 collapse shocked cryptocurrency markets.

Italian multi-utility IREN on Friday inaugurated a plant aimed at sorting different types of plastics to maximise the recycle of materials coming from waste.