In , million people around the world visited the store's Web sites, and the Ikea catalog had a print run of million copies in 27 languages [source: Ikea]. The catalog, which made its way to million households in 30 countries, is allegedly printed more than the Bible [source: Capell ]. For shopping at Ikea though, nothing compares to an in-store visit, a trip that over million people make in one year, with some driving hours to the nearest store. If you've ever popped into Ikea for one thing only to emerge hours later, bewildered and loaded down with things you didn't expect to buy, that's no accident.
While all retailers try to cultivate such an experience, Ikea seems to have a true knack for it. This is largely due to the setup of the stores and the amenities offered; with restaurants and daycare, it becomes easy to stay the entire day, and the store flow is set up so that you see and try almost all Ikea products.
One executive has even suggested that Ikea is quality family time on par with going to the zoo or a theme park [source: Bartlett and Nanda ]. For those of you that have never braved the traffic and the bargain hunters of an Ikea store, we'll take a virtual shopping trip.
If you brought the kids along, feel free to drop them in Smaland, a children's play area named for the southern part of Sweden where Ikea started.
You might pick them up for lunch in the cafeteria-style restaurant, where Swedish meatballs and lingonberry mousse keep hungry shoppers going. Of course, they're welcome to accompany you on a trip through the showroom, which will be guided by arrows on the floor, taking you in turn through all of Ikea's major departments.
There are shortcuts, but if you do the entire thing, you'll be escorted through sections of living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as sections of office furniture, shelving units and children's decorations. All of the products, from couches to beds, are out for you to try and test.
There are also mock rooms set up, so that you can see just how great an Ikea lamp would look with your new Ikea bedroom set. As you make your way through the showroom, you can ask for help from the staff located at information towers around the store, but you're largely on your own, equipped only with a pencil and paper so that you can make notes about what you want. You'll need these notes in the self-serve furniture area, where bookcases and coffee tables are waiting in flat packs.
Before you get there, though, you'll wander through the marketplace, which is full of the home furnishings that can fill those new kitchen cabinets or accessorize your new couch. The marketplace includes cooking and eating items, textiles and rugs, lighting, prints and frames, and bathroom accessories. Once you have what you need, it's off to the checkout.
If you've burned off those meatballs, there's another chance for a snack at the bistro located near the checkouts where you could enjoy a hot dog or a cinnamon roll for a dollar or a less. If you can't get enough of Ikea's cooking, there's also a food market in many stores, so that you can take a little taste of Sweden home with you. Ikea stores are about , square feet 27, square meters on average, or about five football fields. Can such a big store be good for the environment in any way?
Turn the page to find out. In walking through an Ikea store, you may think that such a large store can't be very energy efficient. But when you get to the checkout, you'll be asked if you want to purchase a plastic bag for a nickel. While paying for disposable shopping bags is nothing new to residents of some countries, it's not typical yet in the United States. That's one part of Ikea's plan to reduce waste and help the environment. A quick look around the checkout area might reveal other clues to Ikea's environmental stewardship; recycling bins are present for customers to drop off used batteries , light bulbs and even the packaging that their purchases came in.
While Ikea does build huge stores, the company tries to do so in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. For example, the store in Stoughton, Mass. The roof of the store is covered with 37, square feet 6, square meters of plants, which regulate the store's temperature while absorbing rainwater.
Other environmental measures in construction included the use of recycled materials in construction, reusing 75 percent of construction waste, and energy-efficient lighting [source: Chain Store Age ].
Ikea's long-term goal is to have all stores using renewable energy through solar or wind power where possible. In fiscal year , a quarter of Ikea stores and distribution centers were achieving this goal [source: Ikea]. Ikea's environmental stewardship goes beyond the stores though; the products are evaluated not just for a price point, but for their environmental impact. Each phase of the product's life cycle is evaluated, including raw materials, manufacturing, use and end of life.
Ikea's requirements for its suppliers and distributors are laid out in its codes of conduct, known as IWAY the Ikea Way. These agreements outline Ikea's expectations on social and working conditions, including child labor, as well as environmental standards that must be met. According to Ikea's Social and Environmental Responsibility Report, IWAY fulfillment had dropped from 90 percent to 85 percent, with the drop largely due to the performance of suppliers in Asia Ikea does not immediately cease working with suppliers in the case of noncompliance, but tries to work with offenders to address the problems.
Ikea explained the lowered rates as a result of increased unannounced audits and issues that could by solved at the legislative level. Suppliers are expected to use wood from responsibly managed forests. Cotton is similarly expected to come from renewable sources, and the metal and plastic used in products is recyclable and recycled.
By fiscal year , Ikea's goal is to have 75 percent of raw materials in all products be renewable; products were at 72 percent in fiscal year [source: Ikea]. Transport suppliers must also meet IWAY codes of conduct related to reducing carbon emissions in distribution, and Ikea strives to pack its products so that more things can fit in one load.
Ikea's other environmental goals cover everything from the Swedish food market Ikea hopes to have 15 percent of the food products organically produced by to the catalog the goal is to use certified forestries for percent of the paper used by [source: Ikea]. It also partners with WWF , the global conservation organization, and has a program that plants trees in the rainforest.
Is Ikea always using its powers for good, though? We'll take a look at some criticisms of Ikea on the next page. It's rare that you'll open an Ikea box and find a crucial part is missing, but it's not so rare for a tiny wooden dowel or crucial bolt to get lost in the furniture-building process. When that happens, if you're close by the store, check the "missing parts" wall near the Returns and Exchanges desk, typically close to checkout. But if you're far away, try calling to tell Ikea what you need keep your instructions handy.
Need a lot from Ikea but drive a compact car? We feel your pain. Same-day and next-day service is available. But if you live too far away, you're out of luck, and let's just say horror stories such as this one are common. So you're enamored with a certain Ikea product but live too far from the store to make the trip? You can buy online from Ikea, but shipping prices can be high for large items, and shipping speed leisurely.
Another option? Buy on Amazon, and in many cases, you'll enjoy speedy Prime shipping. The big catch is that you'll pay a premium compared with in-store prices — but not necessarily online prices. Now you're making a tradeoff between speed and price. Ikea's restaurant dishes out super-cheap eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, the company keeps meal prices ultra-low for a reason: The more you eat, the more stamina you have for what it hopes will be a wallet-busting shopping trip.
But plenty of fans come solely for the food. Of course, the meatballs are also worth a trip. One of the most frustrating things about furniture shopping is committing to big purchases before you can see how the pieces work in your house. Ikea tries to make this a non-issue with Ikea Place, an augmented-reality app that lets you "try out" scaled 3D models of its furniture in your very own home. Available for Android or iOS, it also lets you search for Ikea items similar to other things that you like.
Ikea has a generous return policy that gives you days to bring something back. As long as the item is in reasonably good condition, you can get a refund or exchange it, so don't be bashful. The catch? Returns are a take-a-number-and-wait affair that can easily eat an afternoon if you go when the store is busy. So go when the store opens if you don't want to wait, or aim for a weekday at the very least.
Two more options if you're willing to pay to avoid heading back to the store: Send smaller items by mail, or schedule a pickup for larger items. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission to support our work. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy.
Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Go early on a weekday. Avoiding crowds can make shopping easier for you. To avoid the crowds, head to IKEA early in the week and early in the day. They are typically less busy around in the morning on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. It's especially important to do any returns earlier in the day.
Pick one room to shop for. You'll go crazy trying to furnish your whole house in one trip to IKEA. Instead, pick one room that needs furnishing the most, and plan to buy only what you need for that room. You can really get a leg up on your shopping experience by just visiting IKEA's website. There, you can browse different products, jot down the names of your favorites, find different item measurements, and see if certain pieces are in stock at your nearest location.
Measure your room and vehicle. You don't want to end up buying furniture that you can't fit in your car and take home. Before going to IKEA, use measuring tape to figure out the dimensions of your trunk and also the area of the room that you wish to furnish.
Invite a buddy. Shopping can often be easier and more fun with a sidekick. Whether you pick a friend or your spouse, make sure you invite someone who you enjoy doing other kinds of shopping with as well. Method 2. Eat a meal in the cafeteria. In addition to the bistro at the exit, every IKEA has a big cafeteria where you can choose from a variety of affordable meals, snacks, desserts and drinks. Stop here to get something to eat before really diving into the shopping experience.
Shopping at IKEA is a marathon, not a sprint, so you'll want to be fueled up. Especially if your kids are younger, it's easier to navigate the store in a reasonable amount of time if trained childcare staff are taking care of your kids. Keep your kids there for up to an hour while you shop. Your children must be potty trained and between 37 and 54 inches Take a photo of the map. In order to shop efficiently, you need to know where you're going.
As soon as you see the blue map of the building, get your phone out and take a photo of it. You can also get a hard copy of the map near the IKEA entrance. Split tasks with your buddy.
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