1943 IKEA is founded by Ingvar Kamprad When Ingvar Kamprad is 17, his father gives him money as a reward for succeeding in his studies. He uses it to establish his own business. The name IKEA is formed from the founder's initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd (E) and Agunnaryd (A), the farm and village where he grew up. IKEA originally sells pens, wallets, picture frames, table runners, watches, jewellery and nylon stockings - meeting needs with products at reduced prices.
1945 The first IKEA advertisements appear Ingvar Kamprad's business outgrows his ability to make individual sales calls, so he begins advertising in local newspapers and operating a makeshift mail-order service. He uses the local milk van to deliver products to the nearby train station.
1948 Furniture is introduced into the IKEA range The furniture is produced by local manufacturers in the forests close to Ingvar Kamprad's home. The response is positive and the line expands.
1951 The first IKEA catalogue is published IKEA's founder sees the opportunity to sell furniture on a larger scale using a catalogue. The IKEA catalogue that we know today is born.
1953 Furniture showroom opens in Älmhult, Sweden This is an important moment in the development of the IKEA concept - for the first time customers can see and touch IKEA home furnishings before ordering them. The showroom is born out of a price war with IKEA's main competitor. As both companies lowered prices, quality was threatened. By opening the showroom, IKEA clearly demonstrates the function and quality of its low-price products. The innovation is a success; people wisely choose the products with the best value for money.
1956 Designing furniture for flat packs and self-assembly IKEA's decision to design its own furniture stems, ironically, from competitor pressure for suppliers to boycott IKEA. Exploration of flat packing begins when one of IKEA's first co-workers removes the legs of the LÖVET table so that it will fit into a car and avoid damage during transit. After this discovery flat packs and self assembly become part of the concept. To read more, please visit Our business idea.
1958 The first IKEA store opens in Sweden The first IKEA store in Älmhult has 6,700 square metres of home furnishings! At the time, it is the largest furniture display in Scandinavia.
Gillis Lundgren designs the TORE drawer unit While visiting one of IKEA's kitchen manufacturers, one of IKEA's earliest co-workers, Gillis Lundgren, notes the simple, practical storage ideas being used in IKEA kitchens and is inspired to apply the same thinking throughout the home. As soon as he gets back to Älmhult he sits down and designs the TORE drawer unit.
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