1980s

1980

LACK table arrives
This low-priced, functional coffee table is made with a technique that is normally used for interior doors, making the table very strong and light. This sandwich technique is called board-on-frame and will be used in many IKEA products in years to come.

1981

IKEA arrives in France
The first IKEA store opens in Paris.

1982

LACK range is extended
To complement the LACK table, LACK shelves are designed.

The IKEA organisation is restructed. Franchise concept established
To ensure the continued success of the IKEA Concept Ingvar Kamprad initiated the creation of an ownership structure and organisation in the 1980s that would safeguard its long-term independence.
The major part of the IKEA organisation was donated to a Dutch foundation and the right to the IKEA Concept remaind with the Inter IKEA Systems group of companies. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. franchises these rights to all IKEA retailers worldwide.

1984

IKEA arrives in Belgium
The first IKEA store opens in Brussels.

STOCKHOLM range of furnishings appears
IKEA designs a series of high-quality furnishings using some well-loved materials - birch wood, leather and cretonne. The range has everything you would expect of high-quality classics, except the high price tag. STOCKHOLM is a winner of the Excellent Swedish Design award.

IKEA catalogue numbers increase
The IKEA catalogue print run expands to 45 million copies, in nine languages

1985

IKEA arrives in the USA
The first IKEA store opens in Philadelphia.

MOMENT sofa is designed by Niels Gammelgaard
When IKEA looks for a suitable manufacturer, visits to a supermarket-trolley factory prove successful in utilising knowledge of strength and stability. IKEA takes this as a starting point to create a stylish, comfortable and low-priced sofa with a modern look. The matching table, designed in 1987, wins the Excellent Swedish Design award - something few supermarket trolleys can boast of.

1987

IKEA arrives in the UK
The first IKEA store opens in Manchester.

1989

IKEA arrives in Italy
The first IKEA store opens in Milan.

Read about the 1990s

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