IKEA | FAQ


FAQ

IKEA store 1.What new IKEA store openings are scheduled in Japan? 2.Can someone help me plan and design rooms? 3.How can I get large items home? 4.Why are items sometimes out of stock? 5.What if I want to have the products assembled? 6.Can I return items? 7.Complaints? 8.How many products are in the IKEA product range? 9.Where are IKEA products purchased? IKEA catalogue 1.What is the IKEA catalogue? 2.How can I get a copy of the IKEA catalogue? 3.When does the new catalogue come out? 4.How environmentally friendly is the IKEA catalogue? corporate IKEA 1.What is IKEA concept? 2.Who owns the IKEA concept? 3.Can I distribute IKEA products? 4.How can I become a franchisee? 5.What is the IKEA Group? 6.What is the IKEA business idea? 7.How can I find out about job opportunities within IKEA? 8.How does IKEA approach environmental issues? website questions 1.What settings or software do I need on my computer to view the IKEA site? 2.Can I purchase IKEA products on the web? 3.What information is collected about me when I visit the site? 4.Can I find all IKEA products on this site?

IKEA store 1. What new IKEA store openings are scheduled in Japan? These are the IKEA store openings planned for the near future (dates shown are projected only): In 2008, Kobe, Tsuruhama (Osaka), Shinmisato (Saitama) For the worldwide opening, please go to Facts & Figures on About IKEA page. back to top 2. Can someone help me plan and design rooms? Many IKEA stores offer a home decoration service if you wish to furnish an entire room. Most IKEA stores also offer a kitchen planning service. Using free computer simulations or with service fee specially trained kitchen planners can help you plan and choose the kitchen that is right for you. These services are by appointment only, so please come to IKEA store near you for further information. back to top 3. How can I get large items home? Most IKEA products are flat-packed, making them easy to transport. The IKEA store offers (or will refer you to) a home delivery service if you prefer. Home delivery is not included in the product price. back to top 4. Why are items sometimes out of stock? Every effort is made to maintain the availability of items shown in the catalogue, but due to popularity and supply issues, some products may not always be available. Generally, IKEA can estimate when a product should be back in stock. Because IKEA products are manufactured throughout the world, there are sometimes circumstances which can cause delivery delays. back to top 5. What if I want to have the products assembled? IKEA products are generally easy to assemble and require no special tools. If you prefer, most IKEA stores can refer you to a reputable, reasonably priced assembly company that can come to your home to assemble and install our products. back to top 6. Can I return items? IKEA stores always offer a generous return policy. Ask for assistance at your store or look in your catalogue for details. Please do not forget the receipt and the original packaging. If you have paid by your credit card, please bring the one you used at purchase and credit card receipt with your ID. return policy back to top 7. Complaints? If you have any complaints about our products or services please contact your store and we will be happy to solve the problem. back to top 8. How many products are in the IKEA product range? There are about 10,000 products in the total IKEA product range. Each store carries a selection of these 10,000 products depending on store size. The core range is the same worldwide. back to top 9. Where are IKEA products purchased? More than 1,350 suppliers in over 50 countries manufacture our products. The profile of our well-designed and high quality range is distinctively Swedish/Scandinavian. The low price is literally built into the production and the flat packs facilitate a rational distribution, self-service and immediate take-away. All of our products are labelled "Design and Quality, IKEA of Sweden." back to top

IKEA catalogue 1. What is the IKEA catalogue? This year's IKEA catalogue was produced in 56 editions, in 27 languages for 191 million copies. The catalogue offers more than just a glimpse at the diverse IKEA product range. You'll discover new affordable solutions and creative approaches to help inspire home furnishing ideas for better living. back to top 2. How can I get a copy of the IKEA catalogue? The IKEA catalogue is mass-distributed annually in the area around each IKEA store. If you did not receive this year's catalogue, stop by the IKEA store near you for a free copy. back to top 3. When does the new catalogue come out? The annual catalogue is distributed in August/September of each year and is valid for a full year. Prices are guaranteed not to increase while the catalogue is valid. In it, you'll discover our furnishings, accessories and room settings along with detailed information on materials, colours, sizes, product care and prices. That way you can plan your next visit to IKEA all from the comfort of your own home! back to top 4. How environmentally friendly is the IKEA catalogue? Our catalogues are printed on totally chlorine-free paper and contain at least 10-15% post-consumer waste. No rainforest or old-growth fibres are used. The pre-press process is 100% digital, which means no film is used and none of the associated chemicals. No optical brighteners are used on the paper. back to top

corporate IKEA 1. What is IKEA concept? IKEA concept is based upon the answers to this question: "Why are IKEA prices so low with such good quality and design?" 1. Why do our designers create the price tag first? - At IKEA, our designers' main concern is to make good quality furniture at a price that is affordable. - That's why. 2. Why do we make so many of everything? - By producing and distributing in bulk, we get big discounts which we pass on to you. - That's why. 3. Why are we obsessed with keeping things flat? - IKEA furniture is flat-packed. This means it's cheaper for us to store and transport. - That's why. 4. Why do we abuse our goods? - At IKEA, we always put our furniture through rigorous testing, to make sure it can stand up to just about anything. - That's why. 5. Why isn't there always an assistant when I need one? - The information you need is on the price tag. Serving yourself means you don't pay for help you don't need. - That's why. 6. Why should I deliver my own furniture? - Taking home the furniture yourself means you can have it the same day. And that you at IKEA don't have to pay for a "free delivery service" already included in the price. - That's why. 7. Why do I have to assemble the furniture myself? - Even though it's tricky sometimes, it means not paying someone in a factory to do it for you. - That's why. With all these seven reasons, that is why IKEA prices are so low with such good quality and design! back to top 2. Who owns the IKEA concept? IKEA retailing, with its Swedish roots, is based on a franchise system. Inter IKEA Systems B.V., located in Delft, The Netherlands, is the owner and franchisor of the IKEA Concept. IKEA stores are operated by a number of different franchisees in 36 countries. back to top 3. Can I distribute IKEA products? The IKEA experience is more than just products, it is a retail concept. For the concept to work, it is necessary to have all aspects in place. Therefore, IKEA products are sold only in IKEA stores franchised by Inter IKEA Systems B.V. back to top 4. How can I become a franchisee? IKEA products are sold solely in stores operating the IKEA Retail System--franchised by Inter IKEA Systems B.V. of The Netherlands. Franchises are granted by Inter IKEA Systems B.V. as part of a detailed expansion plan. Serious applicants are carefully researched and evaluated and franchises are granted only to companies and/or individuals with strong financial backing and a proven record in retail. Serious inquiries (please include all relevant information) may be sent or faxed to: Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Olof Palmestraat 1 NL-2616 LN Delft The Netherlands Attn: Franchising Fax: +31 15 215 38 38 back to top 5. What is the IKEA Group? The IKEA Group is a private group of companies owned by a charitable foundation in The Netherlands. The IKEA Group is active in developing, purchasing, distributing and selling IKEA products. The IKEA group is the biggest group of franchisees operating over 100 IKEA stores. The Management Services to the IKEA Group are provided by IKEA International A/S in Humlebaek, Denmark. back to top 6. What is the IKEA business idea? The IKEA business idea is: "We shall offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them." back to top 7. How can I find out about job opportunities within IKEA? If you are out-going, dedicated, customer-service orientated and interested in working as part of a team. jobs at IKEA back to top 8. How does IKEA approach environmental issues? We're working to create a better environment outdoors as well as indoors. back to top

website questions 1. What settings or software do I need on my computer to view the IKEA site? The IKEA site works with all commonly used browsers, on both PC and Mac platforms. For optimal viewing, we recommend at least Netscape Navigator 4.0 or IE 5.0 and at least 800x600 pixels (possible flash plug in higher than 4.0). back to top 2. Can I purchase IKEA products on the web? Only Sweden, Denmark, USA and few other countries currently sell products online. In the future, the ambition is to roll out this e-commerce platform to additional countries. back to top 3. What information is collected about me when I visit the site? We do not require any information to obtain access to any part of our site, unless specifically stated. We may ask for specific information in order to provide a service to you, such as sending you a catalogue. Information requested may include name, title, company, address, e-mail address, and phone number. We do anonymously track traffic patterns using cookies, in order to measure site performance and make improvements. Cookies are small pieces of information stored on your computer that are read by the browser. These cookies will be automatically deleted after you leave the site. back to top 4. Can I find all IKEA products on this site? This site features hundreds of IKEA products as a way of demonstrating the breadth and depth of our product range; however, this is only a small portion of IKEA’s complete product range. Each store carries a much larger selection. Be sure to visit your local IKEA store for a look at our full selection. back to top