How we work
One brand, many companies, and many, many people – that’s us in a nutshell. Spread all over the world, we have a passion for home furnishing and an inspiring shared vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. This, together with our straightforward business idea, shared values, and a culture based on the spirit of togetherness, guides us in everything we do.
To 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.
IKEA business idea
487 IKEA stores in 63 markets
Updated: 28 July 2025
- The first IKEA store opened in 1958 in Älmhult, Sweden.
- The latest store to open is IKEA San Marcos in the United States.
- Germany has the most IKEA stores in the world.
- The biggest IKEA store is Pasay City, Philippines.
Our year in review
Get a glimpse into Fiscal Year 25 with a selection of facts and figures.
Together, all over the world
The IKEA Brand unites thousands of co-workers and hundreds of companies with different owners around the world. The retail business is organised in a franchise system with 12 franchisees in 63 markets that – together with the franchisor and other parts of the business – continuously improve and develop the brand.
Being able to offer IKEA products to as many people as possible is a challenge we love. To ensure the long-term growth and development of the IKEA business we use a franchise system.
“IKEA is not the work of one person alone, it is the result of many minds and many souls working together through many years of joy and hard work.”
Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA Founder
The IKEA way of retail
Whether we are entering new markets or meeting customers in new ways, we are constantly innovating to meet customer expectations.
Our integrated value chain
To meet the needs of our customers we have a unique business model and value chain. It includes product development, design, supply, manufacture and sales. And of course, it starts and ends with our customers.
Our value chain is about putting people first, and that starts by listening to people’s needs and dreams.
For suppliers
Interested in becoming an IKEA supplier? Already an IKEA supplier? Here you’ll find everything you need to get in contact or stay in touch.
Our deep rooted respect for handcraft
Handmade products today, as they have for hundreds of years, emphasise honesty in materials, simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship.
Learn more about how and where we work with skilled artisans to create handmade rugs and extraordinary home furnishing pieces from mouth-blown glass and handwoven natural fibres.
The next world-changing idea
We're always looking to the future. Innovation Venture is the corporate venture capital arm of Inter IKEA Group. The team is dedicated to making strategic investments in innovative companies and building strategic partnerships and collaborations with corporations and academia.
Learn more about how Innovation Ventures' investments and partnerships aim to address key challenges and opportunities across our value chain.
The history of IKEA
IKEA reaches millions of hearts and homes all over the world. And it all began in a small Swedish town in the 1940s.
