IKEA marks its 80th Anniversary

In the beginning, IKEA was a small mail-order business where orders were filled by a teenage Ingvar on his bicycle. The brand is now represented in 62 markets with 462 IKEA touchpoints, 700 million physical customer visits, 2.6 billion online visits, and more than 20 million IKEA app downloads*. The team of 231,000 IKEA co-workers worldwide help create a better everyday life for the many people.

‘’IKEA could not be where it is today without our co-workers, customers, suppliers, partners, and supporters. So many people have been part of building what we have achieved. I’m very grateful for each and every one, and today we all celebrate those achievements together. For the last 80 years, we have had the privilege of being part of the many people’s homes and lives – a role we humbly want to continue to have over the coming 80 years and beyond’’, says Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO Inter IKEA Group.

Assembling a better future, together

Looking ahead to the next 80 years, IKEA will continue to take a stand for the many people by constantly adapting and transforming the business, continuing to innovate, anticipating future trends, and testing new ways of working that reflect the needs of people and the planet.

Curiosity about people’s lives, needs, and dreams at home has always been the starting point at IKEA. IKEA has a unique heritage of 80 years of innovations, iconic products, solutions, and commitments to people and the planet. The best way to honour this heritage is by constantly trying to do things better and keeping IKEA range in tune with times and the many people, their ever-evolving needs and desires.

“We are committed to designing products and value chains for the future. We need to find new ways to lower our prices without compromising on quality or letting our environment pay the price. We will continue to use all our creativity, leadership and make-do attitude. I’m proud of our past and optimistic about the future’’, says Fredrika Inger, Managing Director at IKEA of Sweden.

Nytillverkad – a new collection to celebrate the design heritage of IKEA

The success of IKEA would have never been possible without its customers and co-workers. To celebrate 80 years of design, the IKEA team has returned to their archives to rediscover customers’ favourite designs. These iconic products will be reimagined in fresh, joyful colours and new materials in a collection called Nytillverkad like to thank every customer for the first 80 years and is now looking forward to the next exciting 80 years and beyond.  

Some important milestones along the IKEA journey:

1943

Ingvar Kamprad, only 17 years old, registers a company in Sweden on 28 July 1943, which he names IKEA, which is an acronym of Ingvar Kamprad from Elmtaryd (his family farm) and Agunnaryd (his local parish).

1950

The IKEA Catalogue makes its debut.

1956

Ingvar and designer Gillis Lundgren solve the issue of damaged goods in transportation, creating the revolutionary concept of self-assembly flat pack furniture.

1958

The first IKEA store opens in Älmhult, Sweden.

1960

IKEA Älmhult introduces the first IKEA Restaurant & Café.

1973

The first IKEA store outside Scandinavia opens in Spreitenbach, Switzerland.

1987

IKEA opens its first store in the UK in Warrington.

1997

IKEA launched their first website: IKEA.se.

2012

IKEA is voted as the UK’s favourite shop, according to Verdict research.

2018

IKEA commits to becoming a climate-positive business by 2030.

2018

Ingvar Kamprad passes away at the age of 91, leaving a strong legacy of innovation and co-creation.

2022

IKEA UK opens its first small store in Hammersmith, marking the start of an investment in London to get closer to its customers, with the highly anticipated IKEA Oxford Street store set to open in the near future.  

2022

IKEA UK announces a new long term charity partnership with Shelter, advocating for half a million people impacted by the housing emergency.  •

2023

IKEA opens its third IKEA Plan & Order Point in Preston, joining Aintree and Stockport, as part of the retailer’s ongoing efforts to become more accessible to IKEA customers in the North West region of the UK. 

2023

462 touchpoints in 62 countries and a team of 231,000 IKEA co-workers. 

^{*According to figures for FY22 (1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022).}