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IKEA Case Study: IKEA’s Genius Business Strategy

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Are you looking for an IKEA case study according to Michael Porter’s Five Forces?

Porter’s IKEA case study shows one company’s success in fitting together business activities, business strategy, and operations. His analysis shows how the activities connect to create a uniquely competitive business.

IKEA’s Fit Between Activities

Good strategies depend on the connection among many things. Fit means the value or cost of one activity is affected by the way other activities are performed – in other words, “synergy.” If the activities fit together, they each meaningfully contribute to the company’s increased value or lower cost, and they work strongly together. The IKEA case analysis below is one example of fit between different activities.

This is a clear departure from the (mistaken) idea of the one core competence. If strategy truly is based on one core competence, then it becomes relatively easy to replicate. More often, industries compete fiercely to control the one key “resource” – distribution channels, product portfolios – thus driving up cost. In reality, strong strategies are built on many unique activities that fit together to deliver the unique value proposition . Later, you’ll see how fit works well in the IKEA case study, despite certain trade-offs.

Fit arises in 3 ways . Keep this in mind when you read the IKEA case analysis:

• Example: many of Southwest’s activities are directionally pointed toward lowering cost and increasing convenience.
• When activities are inconsistent, they cancel each other out.
• Netflix’s large catalogue gives more chances to collect data points to make better recommendations.
• IKEA’s room displays substitute for sales associates, thus lowering cost.
• Dell will preload software onto PCs, substituting for the customer’s IT department.

Fit discourages rivals in a few ways:

• With a large range of activities, it becomes unclear which of the company’s activities are most valuable to replicate.
• As a simplistic example, say there are 5 activities that give a company a competitive advantage. If the chance of replicating one activity is 90%, then the chance of replicating all of them is 0.9^5, or 62%.
• An activity that fits one value chain can punish a different value chain, if it lacks synergies with the other activities or contradicts them.
• Activities with fit make it easier to see where the weak link in the chain is (think about this in the IKEA case analysis later).

The IKEA Case Study

Let’s examine a masterpiece of strategy in IKEA using the IKEA case study analysis. Their mission is to deliver stylish furniture at low prices. Their activities show clear trade-offs and strong fit:

• Assembling furniture yourself also seems to increase your enjoyment of it, maybe because of endowment effect. 
• Compact boxes reduce freight shipping costs from the manufacturer.
• This means time from buying to having furniture in your house is much faster than shipped furniture.
• IKEA stores are huge warehouses in large suburban locations with highway access. With large parking lots and loading zones, they allow customers to self-service and deliver their own furniture.
• IKEA showrooms have minimal staff, with the entire inventory laid out for buyers to peruse.
• IKEA cafeterias are self-service and customers are encouraged to bus their own trays.
• IKEA designs its own products, allowing trade-offs in styling and cost.
• Furniture has few customization options, allowing production in bulk and bargaining at scale.
• A narrower catalogue also allows IKEA to keep its warehouses fully stocked, instead of requiring shipping.

Many of these activities fit together and reinforce each other to provide low-priced furniture. The furniture’s self-assembled design reduces manufacturing costs, storage costs, shipping costs from manufacturer, and shipping costs to customers. In turn, IKEA’s locations make the furniture’s self-assembled design even more effective. 

Note how each activity is distinctly a trade-off : you either have furniture disassembled or not. You either have salespeople on the showroom floor or not. This is one of the aspects covered in the IKEA case study analysis.

Many traditional furniture retailers practice the inverse of IKEA’s value chain. If they tried to adopt one of IKEA’s activities, they’d find it less compatible with their own value chain, and so they’d gain very little of IKEA’s competitive advantage.

Note too that, in making these tradeoffs, IKEA is deliberately alienating customer groups – those who want furniture ordered seamlessly to their homes, who want nice salespeople to guide them through options, who want unique and fancifully designed furniture. The IKEA case study analysis shows how trade-offs can sometimes have big strategic payoffs.

Activity System Map

To visualize the strength of fit between activities, place the activities on a map.

• Start by placing the key components of the value proposition.
• Make a list of the activities most responsible for competitive advantage
• Add each activity to the map. Draw lines wherever there is fit: when the activity contributes to value proposition, or when two activities affect each other

Here’s an example for IKEA:

A densely interconnected activity map is a good sign. A sparsely connected map shows weak strategy.

The activity map isn’t useful just for description of your current strategy. It can also be used for ideation for new strategies:

• Can you improve fit between activities? 
• Can you find ways for an activity to substitute for another?
• Can you find new activities or enhancements to what you already do?
• Are there new products or features you can offer because of your activity map, that rivals will find difficult to emulate?

Porter’s IKEA case study is an example of a competitive business in a particular area of an industry. Porter’s IKEA case study shows business activities and strategy intersecting successfully.

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Inside IKEA’s Digital Transformation

• Thomas Stackpole

A Q&A with Barbara Martin Coppola, IKEA Retail’s chief digital officer.

How does going digital change a legacy retail brand? According to Barbara Martin Coppola, CDO at IKEA Retail, it’s a challenge of remaining fundamentally the same company while doing almost everything differently. In this Q&A, Martin Coppola talks about how working in tech for 20 years prepared her for this challenge, why giving customers control over their data is good business, and how to stay focused on the core mission when you’re changing everything else.

What does it mean for one of the world’s most recognizable retail brands to go digital? For almost 80 years, IKEA has been in the very analogue business of selling its distinct brand of home goods to people. Three years ago, IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) hired Barbara Martin Coppola — a veteran of Google, Samsung, and Texas Instruments — to guide the company through a digital transformation and help it enter the next era of its history. HBR spoke with Martin Coppola about the particular challenge of transformation at a legacy company, how to sustain your culture when you’re changing almost everything, and how her 20 years in the tech industry prepared her for this task.

• Thomas Stackpole is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

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Cluster Analysis for Strategic Management: A Case Study of IKEA

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• Cite this conference paper

• Paola Perchinunno 23 &
• Dario Antonio Schirone 24  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 7334))

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• International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications

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Business strategy, understood as the set of choices implemented in order to achieve long-term goals [1], or as identified through SWOT Analysis [2], to which reference is so frequently made during periods of economic boom, was surpassed during the 1970s and 80s by strategic planning [3] and strategic management . The current situation of the IKEA store in Bari (Apulia, Italy) may be understood within this framework. The objective of the present study is, therefore, to identify possible reasons for the likelihood of different consumption patterns and choices by particular groups of individuals in a Primary Market Area.

The contribution is the result of joint reflections by the authors, with the following contributions attributed to P. Perchinunno (chapter 3.1, 3.2 and 4), and to D. Schirone (chapter 1, 2, 3.3, 3.4 and 5).

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Department of Statistical Science, University of Bari, Via C. Rosalba 53, 70100, Bari, Italy

Paola Perchinunno

Department of Mediterranean Societies of Bari, P.zza Umberto I, 70121, Bari, Italy

Dario Antonio Schirone

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Laboratory of Urban and Territorial Systems, University of Basilicata, 10, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 85100, Potenza, Italy

Beniamino Murgante

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Perugia, Via Vanvitelli 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy

Osvaldo Gervasi

Department of Cyber Security Science, Federal University of Technology, Gidan Kwano Campus, Minna, Nigeria

Sanjay Misra

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electronics Engineering and Telecommunications, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, 50. andar, sala 5145-F, Maracana, 20.550-013, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Nadia Nedjah

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Ana Maria A. C. Rocha

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Perchinunno, P., Schirone, D.A. (2012). Cluster Analysis for Strategic Management: A Case Study of IKEA. In: Murgante, B., et al. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2012. ICCSA 2012. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 7334. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31075-1_7

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IKEA Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage: Capitalising on IKEA Concept

IKEA business strategy is built upon the IKEA concept. The IKEA Concept starts with the idea of providing a range of home furnishing products that are affordable to the many people, not just the few. It is achieved by combining function, quality, design and value – always with sustainability in mind. The IKEA Concept exists in every part of the company, from design, sourcing, packing and distributing through to business model. [1]

The following points constitute integral elements of IKEA business strategy.

1. Offering the lowest prices . Cost effectiveness is one of the solid bases of IKEA competitive advantage. The global furniture retailer is able to offer low prices thanks to a combination of economies of scale and technological integration into various business processes.

2. Increasing variety of products . Great range of products also belongs to the list of IKEA competitive advantages. There are 12000 products across in IKEA portfolio and the company renews its product range launching approximately 2000 new products every year. [2] The company is also increasing its presence in food and catering industries.

3. International market expansion strategy . The home improvement and furnishing chain has traditionally engaged in new market development in an aggressive manner. IKEA has11 franchisees operating in more than 500 locations in 63 countries. [3] Furthermore, The Swedish furniture chain has long-term plans to establish its firm presence in many developing countries.

4. Benefiting from strategic alliances . The global furniture retailer benefits from strategic alliances to a maximum extent. The formation of strategic alliances is placed at the core of IKEA business strategy. The list of the most successful collaborations include partnership with Apple to explore the possibilities of  Augmented Reality as a tool for home-furnishing, partnership with LEGO for new product development and partnership with Adidas in knowledge sharing about customer behaviour. Experience and competency in the formation of strategic alliances can be specified as one of the most important IKEA competitive advantages.

Currently, IKEA is in the middle of transformation of its business model that made it successful in the global scale. Specifically, for many decades IKEA business strategy was largely based on having giant out-of-town warehouses, where shoppers pick their own furniture and then build it at home. But now it is looking increasingly at city-centre stores, online shopping, home delivery and assembly, and more radical ideas such as leasing furniture and selling on websites such as Alibaba. [4]

 IKEA Group Report contains the above analysis of IKEA business strategy. The report illustrates the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix and McKinsey 7S Model on IKEA . Moreover, the report contains analyses of IKEA leadership, organizational structure and organizational culture. The report also comprises discussions of IKEA marketing strategy, ecosystem and addresses issues of corporate social responsibility.

[1] The IKEA Concept (2019) IKEA, Available at: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/this-is-ikea/the-ikea-concept/

[2] Sustainability Report FY 2021,IKEA

[3] Inter IKEA Holding B.V. Annual report FY21

[4] Milne, R. (2019) “Inter Ikea’s Torbjorn Loof: making the vision clear” Financial Times, Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/6b250c0a-2486-11e9-b329-c7e6ceb5ffdf

• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-31075-1_7
• Corpus ID: 35108093

Cluster Analysis for Strategic Management: A Case Study of IKEA

• Paola Perchinunno , D. Schirone
• Published in Communication Systems and… 18 June 2012

2 Citations

Customers’ behaviour analysis in furniture field: ikea case in the northern part of bari province, food in ikea: a strategy to support the core business, 7 references, the concept of corporate strategy, the laws of returns under competitive conditions, stability in competition, birch: an efficient data clustering method for very large databases, model-based gaussian and non-gaussian clustering, the theory of monopolistic competition, sunk costs and market structure, related papers.

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Table of Contents

Ikea target audience, ikea marketing channels, ikea marketing strategy, ikea marketing strategy 2024: a case study.

Founded in 1943, Ikea operates 422 stores in 50+ markets. The favored furniture brand has an impressively wide customer base, with nearly 70% of its stores in Europe. Ikea added 19 stores last year, including its first in India. The Ikea marketing strategy includes some of the most iconic logos, campaigns and companies in recent history.  

Become a Certified Marketing Expert in 8 Months

Ikea serves the unique functional needs of each target audience, with special attention to 16-34-year-old adults. It has solutions for:

• Single people not living at home
• Newly married couples
• Families with the youngest child under six
• Older married couples with dependent children
• No children families
• Labor force
• Professionals 

Thus, it uses the following types of product positioning :

• Mono-segment positioning. It appeals to the needs and wants of a single customer segment that is cost-conscious and prefers value for money.
• Adaptive positioning. It believes in periodically repositioning products and services to adapt to changes in customer preferences. Its Swedish furniture chain considers the dynamic nature of customer preferences. For instance, its latest products reflect increasing minimalism on the global scale. 

Ikea utilizes the power of the following marketing channels: 

• Mobile Application
• WebEngage: Email, SMS, and Whatsapp Marketing
• Social Media
• Telecalling
• Commercials

The Ikea marketing strategy contributes majorly to its success because it's original, imaginative, and distinctive while maintaining a transparent value proposition.

A Creative, Consistent Brand Theme

From the Swedish national colors on its buildings to rich meatballs in its store cafeterias, Ikea's marketing strategy reflects its cultural heritage proudly. It infuses all elements of their identity with a sense of self-assuredness that maintains their identity in the market of stiff competition. 

Emphasizing Affordability and Sustainability 

Understanding that a simple tiered strategy won't encourage repeat business, Ikea extends customization, flexibility, and mix-and-match furniture modules. It effectively combines the elements of affordability and sustainability in its marketing strategy to ensure success.

While the furniture options don't pledge a lifelong guarantee, the products are built to last. Even its reusable shopping bags reflect its commitment to sustainability.

Sponsorship and Influencers 

IKEA-sponsored comedic series Easy to Assemble. Its innovative content marketing was way different from a furniture product demo. Incorporating sponsored digital marketing campaigns and social media influencers have boosted the Ikea marketing strategy. 

Ikea’s Easy to Assemble Series

Exceptional In-store Experience

Ikea brilliantly displays products employing the best lighting systems to generate more sales. It strategically arranges best-matched items in mock rooms to encourage impulse purchases and inspire decor. The company also extends excellent customer service to provide a memorable experience and incite customers to come back for more.

Ikea’s Store Decor for Inspiration

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Website and Mobile Application Marketing

Ikea ensures an optimal mobile website's speed, button displays and gesture controls on its website and mobile app to retain and attract individuals to the site. It carefully invests in its UI/UX , enquiry-based chatbot, and regular updates on new offers, discounts, and promotions. 

One of the most successful marketing moves includes downloading its 3D modeling app to envision a dream home. It's one of its most successful marketing moves that allows IKEA to upsell its low-demand items by creating a desire in its customers to revamp the room.

Ikea’s Website With Engaging Content

Ikea's SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Ikea's marketing strategy aims at enhancing the site's visibility for relevant searches to attract the attention of new and existing customers. It includes the right product-specific keywords and Google advertisements to further augment its organic ranking .  

Ikea Ranking for Bookcases on Google’s First Page

Ikea's SMM (Social Media Marketing)

Ikea's handles are very active on digital marketing platforms like Facebook, Instagram , Twitter, and Youtube . Their digital presence is impressive, with more than 30 Million likes on Facebook, 1 Million followers on Instagram, 5.3k followers on Twitter, and 41.2k subscribers on YouTube.

Ikea’s Instagram Profile

Its Instagram bio links to its website. The website also has links to its various social media posts. Its 'view shop' and 'call' options for product catalog and direct assistance, respectively, are a testament to a well-crafted Ikea marketing strategy.   

Ikea’s Youtube Advertisements 

IKEA also conducts free online workshops that lure lots of enthusiastic customers, resulting in gaining leads.

Ikea’s Online Workshop Ad

Content Marketing

Ikea relies on its content marketing strategy to create a distinguished presence amongst furniture brands. Its commercials, print ads, social media, and website stands out with attention-grabbing content. It combines innovation and humor to present the brand's core values and inspire people. 

Ikea’s Captivating Commercial 

Ikea Marketing Strategy bears testimony to a well-thought and structured marketing venture. Sign-up for our Digital Marketing Specialist and learn more about marketing case studies published by Harvard Business. You will be taught by experts from facebook and Purdue University. Sign-up for the course TODAY!

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IKEA Case Study: Strategic Management Analysis using Porter's Generic Strategy Model

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