History of IKEA Furniture

Today, the IKEA group stands as a highly renowned name in the furniture industry. There has been involved 60 years of hard word and determination of the founder, owners and co-workers in shaping the company what it is today. The following history of IKEA furniture of more than 6 decades reflects how the founder started with just a small venture and gradually the company opened its retail stores in more than 40 countries.

The history of IKEA furniture goes back to 1926; the birth of the founder of the company. Ingvar Kamprad was born in Smaland and from his childhood he knew he wanted to be a businessman. At the age of 5, this young boy started selling matches at low prices but in a profitable manner. Gradually, he moved on to flower seeds, Christmas tree decorations, greeting cards, and pens and pencils. This was the scenario in the 1920s.

In the coming 2 decades, in 1940s-1950s, Ingvar Kamprad turned into an entrepreneur and developed IKEA into a proper furniture retail store. These two decades were used to explore various furniture designs and self assembly. The founder tried to learn the art of advertising and using a catalog and showroom to reach more people and potential customers. The IKEA concept started to take its destined shape in 1960s – 1970s. A few new stores were opened during this era and new hero products are launched, like BILLY and POANG bookcases. This was the time when Kamprad’s concepts were taking shape.

The IKEA furniture stores saw a dramatic expansion of their stores into different countries including UK, France, Italy and even USA. A number of new classic products were added to the already long list of furnishing products such as MOMENT, LACK, and KLIPPAN. This was the time when IKEA started taking its present day’s shape. In the 1990s, the store grew even more. The number of products increased along with the number of stores all over the globe. But this decade is very special for the group because Children’s IKEA was introduced at this time-period only. The focus shifted to catering families with children. The IKEA group was created during this time and the responsibility towards customers and environment became a priority to make good business.

In the 2000s, the IKEA expands further, reaching the new markets of Russia and Japan. This is the time when the gropup associated itself with many environmental and social projects. Now, it has every possible furniture item for bathroom to bedroom, and living room to kitchen. The present day’s co-ordinated solutions were achieved recently only. And today it has become one of the best furniture retail stores for everybody.

As they say, ‘Rome was not built on one day’, similar is the case with IKEA furniture. It has been a step-by-step success.

Summary: The history of the IKEA furniture began in early 1900s and since Ingvar Kamprad decided to be a businessman, there has been no looking back. The founder started with selling matches, going on a bicycle to buy the matches and in few decades he opened a chain of furniture retail stores. The focus of has always been on the customer and their needs.