...assistance I received in its preparation is fully disclosed and acknowledged in this assignment I also certify that this assignment was prepared by me specifically for this course I certify that I have taken all reasonable precautions to make sure that my work has not been copied by other students I confirm that I have understood the College’s regulations on plagiarism I confirm that research resources are fully acknowledged Signature: Mounir TIZI Date: 26/01/2015 1 To be corrected by: Mr Deji Sotunde. By: Mr Mounir TIZI. 2 Abstract This paper focuses on highlighting some characteristics of the international home furnishing company, IKEA. Also, a discussion on the current operations of the company was carried out using different tools like porter’s value chain analysis and SWOT analysis. Additionally, in this...
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...Running Head: IKEA ANALYSIS REPORT Josephine Apuri Argosy University Atlanta IKEA’S marketing IKEA’s products and services are geared towards the overall satisfaction of the needs and wants of every individual customer that walked through their doors, looks them up on the internet or flips through the pages of their catalog. The founder of Ikea Ingvar Kamprad stated that what is good for their customers is also in the long run good for ikea. Their goal is to create a better everyday life for majority of the people. The starting point for Ikea is always, their customer’s needs and wants. That is why Kamprads idea was to offer a wide range of home furnishings of good design and functionality at a price low enough to be afforded by most people (Edvardsson and Enquist, 2006.) Most customers would want to go shopping and not feel pressured to buy, thus Ikea has very few sales people on the floor, and they are rather more of a help aid in locating the items which are stored at the market hall section, often located at the end of the store. They also have special QR codes in case a customer wants to learn more about a specific product. With Ikea’s concentration on individual marketing rather than mass marketing, also takes into consideration the needs and wants of each country. For instance beds are bigger for the U.S customer (Marketing Week, 1996.) Austria’s taste for seventies corner sofas are satisfied too .A majority of Ikea’s stores are located outside of cities centers...
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...2004 YOUNGME MOON IKEA Invades America In 2002, the IKEA Group was the world’s top furniture retailer. With sales approaching $12 billion, IKEA operated 154 stores in 22 countries and serviced 286 million customers a year. (See Exhibits 1 through 4.) In the United States, IKEA had 14 stores, with plans to open as many as nine more in 2003. There were a number of factors that distinguished IKEA from other furniture retailers—its stores were strictly self-service and featured such amenities as playrooms for children and Swedish cafés, and all of its furniture came unassembled (customers were expected to put together the furniture on their own)—yet there was no question about the company’s success; when a new store opened, it was not unusual for thousands of shoppers to line up on the first day. Company Background IKEA was founded in 1943 when 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad decided to start a local catalog company using some money his father had given him.1 Initially, the company sold basic household goods at discount prices; in 1947, however, Kamprad began selling home furnishings. Six years later, Kamprad opened his first furniture showroom, and two years after that, IKEA began designing its own low-priced furniture. In 1958, IKEA opened its inaugural store, in Almhult, Sweden; at 6,700 square meters, it was the largest furniture display in Scandinavia at the time. By the time IKEA opened its flagship store in Stockholm in 1965, IKEA had become the favored ...
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...IKEA Analysis Report Many companies and corporations struggle daily to sustain a competitive advantage and build a strong values-based service. The core difficulty that these companies face is how to create value for their customers and stakeholders such as suppliers and coworkers. A values-based service company can be built and be effective, however, the framework has to be set to ensure success. IKEA group has implemented a framework for the international company and has succeeded in sustainability as a values-based service company. Values-based service consists of attracting and retaining customers to make profits while creating value for customers (Edvardsson, 2006). Customers in today’s society need value added to the customer shopping experience through brand and service (Edvardsson, 2006). The key factor in brands is to show the consumer or customer how one brand differentiates from another and how it can meet that customer’s needs (Edvardsson, 2006). For example, IKEA offers top quality furniture at affordable prices, which also does not lack style and design. The market that IKEA targets wants style, and quality without having to break the bank in which IKEA unquestionably provides to its consumers and stakeholders. Furthermore, service is rooted in a customer’s experience and can also add or decrease value to a brand. A firm can create a sound brand by implementing an efficient and sound branding image that caters to the needs of its targeted market. So how does...
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...Scandinavian and American customers, and examine the growth strategy. At age 17, Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA with money (a gift) from his dad for successfully completing his studies. In 1951, he published his first catalog. Two years later, he opened a showroom in Almhuit and soon thereafter began designing his own furniture. In 1956, IKEA started testing flat packages. They designed products that could be packaged flat, which greatly reduced company and customer costs. IKEA opened their first store in Almuit in 1958, followed by another in Stockholm in 1965. Between 1965 and 1973, they opened seven new stores in Scandanavia, capturing 15% of the Swedish market. Business was going great, and it was time to expand. In fact, Kamprad said, "It is our duty to expand," dismissing those who insisted that furniture retailing was a strictly local business (Ingvar Kamprad and IKEA, 1996). Moving full steam ahead, Kamprad purchased a faltering IKEA franchise in Canada in 1979. Within 3 years, the canadian store was a lucrative business, and the management team set their sights on the Unites States. By 2002, the IKEA Group was the world's leading furniture retailer (Ingvar Kamprad and IKEA, 1996). Their 154 stores, across 22 countries, and 286 million customers made up gross sales of $12 billion. IKEA's Culture, Philosophy, and Strategy IKEA's founder once said, "The true IKEA spirit is founded on our enthusiasm, on our constant will to...
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...1. What factors account for the success of IKEA? There are several factors that can be accounted to IKEA’s success, however there is one factor that can be considered as the key factor: - The low cost approach which is demonstrated by the following: o IKEA corporate culture: even after the extreme success and growth that the company has achieved, its corporate culture of cost cutting sensibility remains the same. Employees and Managers are encouraged and reminded to cut cost by reducing unnecessary expenses. o IKEA designs it own low priced furniture which allow them to cut the middle man by removing the suppliers and in turn allow them to reduce cost which were then passed to their customers. o IKEA stores are strictly self-service which reduces the cost of having to hire additional personnel. o IKEA furniture comes unassembled and in flat packaging. The flat package not only allows customer to transport the products easier to their home, but also allows IKEA to ship more items in bulk and cargo as well as reducing the storage space required for the items. Also, labor costs are reduced as an assembly personnel is not longer necessary and cost related to transportation damages are less frequent due to the flat packaging. o IKEA’s corporate slogan, “Low price with meaning,” shows their commitment to offer attractive and cleverly designed products while maintaining their low cost. 2. What do you think of the company’s product strategy and product range? Do you agree...
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...Sweden early on (50s and 60s)? In 1943, IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad at his home town, selling mainly pencils, postcards and other merchandise. From late 40s to early 50s, manufacturing furniture was introduced as a complement to general merchandise. This enabled Kamprad to step in the furniture business and exploring situation and finding new opportunities. The business had gain massive success in the domestic market for the since opening and the key to its achievements is Kamprad’s leadership. He not only had the vision for the furniture industry, market’s situation, and enthusiasm for business, but Kamprad also played an important role in managing the company’s resources, turned it into capabilities and prove IKEA’s distinctive core competencies. Example for that can be IKEA’s leap on the furniture retail industry: more affordable products to target the large amount of customer, showroom and store’s concept, better customer experience… IKEA’s strategy and business model was also the company’s source of success. IKEA’s prioritize the need of customer, in which price and product range rank the first when it comes to satisfy customer demand, following by IKEA store, catalogue… Marketing strategy was also totally different from other market player at that time, with free and comprehensive catalogues, IKEA was able to introduced customer with a new shopping experience. IKEA’s simple objectives were also needed for its growth. IKEA stated that low costs in all operations are...
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...Analysis the IKEA advertisement on the TODAY newspaper. Introduction IKEA is an internationally known home furnishing retailer. It was founded in 1943, when Ingvar Kamprad is 17 years old, his father gave him a graduation gift, to help him create his own company. In 1978, IKEA to enter the Asia’s market, Singapore is the first station, develop to today it is the world's largest furniture retailer. At IKEA, their vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Business idea supports this vision by offering 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. This advertisement is about the a kitchen activities organized by IKEA Singapore, concept is “Keep the relationship”, IKEA believe relationships are meant to last, that is why IKEA kitchens are guaranteed for 25 years. IKEA hope people can keep the relationship with their family members and friends. At the same time, people get the awards. Target Audience The advertisement targets people of two different class groups, the first group are the urban middle class working adults, their age between 22-45 years old, they have independent economic capacity, who can accept the philosophy of design and way of life in IKEA kitchen products. The second groups are the people who just bought the house, they do not have specific age level, maybe they are old people, and they will update their old kitchen to be new, because...
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...Case Analysis: Ingvar Kamprad and IKEA Our group will illustrate IKEA’s general development in chronological order. We analyze its’ different strategy in corresponding stage, and look into IKEA’s future development. Part 1：IKEA’s initial development 1. Sources of IKEA’s successful entry in Sweden: Ingvar Kamprad saw a great opportunity when the furniture prices increased 41% faster than household goods between 1935 and 1946, and started selling low price, good quality and simpler design furniture primarily to the younger generation of customers who wanted to buy furniture for their first apartment. The tradition in Sweden was to sell expensive, long lasting (family heirloom) furniture, which after the war was too expensive for people. Instead of locating small stores in the central –more expensive part- of the city, he positioned his warehouses in the suburbs, which was a more cost efficient location which also allowed customers to park their cars. Also, because the furniture cartel banned Kamprad to sell directly to customers at shows and persuaded the manufacturing cartel to stop supplying furniture, IKEA started to sell with the help of catalog and started to supply from a different supplier, which allowed him to reduce his prices even more. He also introduced less expensive raw materials and a less-formal working environment. 2. Management process in the Europe-wide operation: In the Europe-wide operation process, we think the most challenging task for IKEA is to...
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...segments: IKEA positions itself as a leading international furniture retailer that provides economical, well-designed and functional furniture. As IKEA’s biggest competitive advantage is the low price, IKEA tries all its best to lower the fixed cost and the variable cost, like building supplier relationships in developing countries to reduce labor and production cost; flat-packaging to reduce the freight fee; use materials in a cost-efficient way and in-house design also reduce the resign cost for IKEA. IKEA also differentiate itself with appealing shopping experience, self-service, as well as developing facilities like childcare, restaurants, and lounge rooms. The Scandinavian design and style is also a niche for IKEA. The target segments of IKEA is price-conscious people, who have tight budgets, like college students, younger adults and new families, who want to make the first furniture purchase, then the IKEA may be a very good choice for them due to its price advantage. Another target segment for IKEA is early adopters. For the modern design and unique shopping environment, people who like innovative things will likely to give it a try to IKEA’s furniture. Benefits & drawbacks to IKEA: The benefit that IKEA gains from its strategy: 1. Its price advantage is very obvious compared with other furniture retailers, which can attract large amount of price-conscious customers. 2. The hip Swedish design and appealing shopping experience is a niche for IKEA. 3. All the IKEA stores...
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...COMPANY HISTORY IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad. Its first store was opened in 1958 in Almhult, Sweden and its flagship store opened in Stockholm in 1965. By 1965, IKEA was a well loved household name in the home of many Swedes. The company’s corporate slogan was “‘Low price with meaning’” (Moon, 2008, p. 24). Its main objective was to challenge the status quo by producing a good product at a low price with the development of innovative and cost-efficient methods. Beginning in 1969, IKEA began to expand its business into additional foreign markets starting with Denmark. IKEA continued to provide its consumers with quality products by utilizing “high-quality materials on the furniture surfaces that were visible and …lower-quality materials on surfaces that were low stress and less visible to the consumer” (Moon, 2008, p. 23). This idea was well received by its consumers and helped IKEA maintain a competitive advantage within the furniture industry. By 1984, IKEA had expanded into 16 different countries with over 167 stores (IKEA Timeline, 1999-2008). IKEA made its debut appearance onto U.S. soil in 1985 with its first store in Philadelphia, PA. From 1997 to 2001, IKEA’s revenue had doubled in the United States from $600 million to $1.27 billion. By 2002, the United States was IKEA’s third largest market and housed 14 of IKEA’s stores (Moon, 2008, p. 27). IKEA’s goal is to have 50 stores in operation in the United States by 2013. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths ...
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...SWOT analysis Strengths * Strong global brand name * Offers a wide range of products which are cheap and affordable * Low cost * Fast delivery * Large network of suppliers – 2,300 suppliers in 67 countries * Good bargaining power with suppliers: the suppliers had long term contracts, received technical advice and leased equipment, and in return, IKEA gained exclusive contracts and low prices. This helped IKEA maintain its cost leadership position. * Synergy with suppliers: IKEA’s designers worked closely with the suppliers to build savings into products from the outset. * Large warehouses for storage * Furniture sold in parts for the customers to choose and assemble * Offers a strong in-store experience. The IKEA store had value-adding offers like free/large parking, free crèche and a café. It offered a complete shopping destination for the customers. * Financially viable: huge and vast warehouses; purchase of Stor, an imitator * IKEA has a flat management structure – 4 layers from the Chief Executive to the warehouse worker. This made decision making and product innovation process fast, contrary to a tall management structure. This is important, especially as the industry is a very competitive one. * The management minimized costs. Flamboyancy and waste were not encouraged - senior managers shared secretaries and travelled economy class. * The IKEA staff is involved in decision making. This is good corporate culture,...
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...IKEA ANALYSIS REPORT Dan Pinzon Argosy University Abstract This report explores the notion of values-based service, and how a company like IKEA creates value for customers and other stakeholders. In order to better understand the IKEA environment we will look at IKEA’s marketing strategy, beginning with its products, services, and other attributes that contribute to its value proposition. Following, exploring how IKEA creates a well-defined market position, and how they differentiate their offerings from competitor offerings. Included in this report is an assessment of IKEA’s strategy by analyzing its sources of value in its value chain, an explanation of its intangible products and benefits, and why IKEA considers its customers to be critical stakeholders. This report concludes with an establishment of several key performance measures that enables management to integrate IKEA’s values in its operations. Introduction In 1943 Swedish entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad founded the now furniture giant IKEA. He began by going door to door selling pens, wallets, and watches. When he began selling his low priced furniture, his competitors immediately tried everything to stop him. The local suppliers were banned from selling him raw materials, and he was not allowed to showcase his furniture in industry expeditions. So Ingvar began to innovate, building his own furniture and buying raw materials from other countries. As the company grew globally, IKEA realized the need to adapt to...
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...Case Study on IKEA Executive Summary The case study of IKEA has been read, analyzed; and the findings are presented in the report as required. The goal of the report was to analyze the case study of IKEA and then to present the findings as well as performing some tasks that are required in this report. Firstly, some terms that are closely associated with marketing has been described and analyzed. In addition to that, those terms are also discussed in relation with the case study. Brand, Business strategy, retail sector, price sensitive and franchisee are the terms that have been discussed in this report in the first section. In the second section, the required calculation for average number of customers of each sector and average spending of customers has been worked out. A new mission statement for IKEA has also been proposed there along with the justification for the mission statement. In the third section, the importance and nature of SWOT analysis has been discussed and elaborated. It is seen in the case study that IKEA performs a SWOT analysis that supports their process of building strategy. Moreover, the SWOT analysis of IKEA has also been performed and justified. In the fourth section, SMART objectives and some new marketing mix ideas for IKEA has been demonstrated. In the fifth Section, the concept of marketing model and minimizing the threats for IKEA has been included and demonstrated. Ultimately, the report contains what were required...
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...The reason behind choosing the IKEA is because IKEA is one of the world’s most successful retailers. IKEA is a global furniture brand inspired by the egalitarian society of its Swedish heritage and appears to the public to be forever Swedish. It expands its retail stores all over the world including North American, European Middle East and Asian countries but also spreads a kind of its own a highly strong business culture and values with a strong Swedish image to other countries through the establishment of business there. History: IKEA was founded in 1943 in Sweden by Ingvar Kamprad. Kamprad was born in 1926 as the son of a farmer in Småland, a region in southern Sweden. At the age of five Ingvar Kamprad starts selling matches to his nearby neighbors and by the time he is seven, he expands to selling flower seeds, greeting cards, Christmas tree decorations, pencils and ball-point pens. In 1943, at the age of 17, Kamprad became an entrepreneur and created a commercial company called "IKEA." The word IKEA was an acronym of his name and “Ingvar Kamprad” and the address, the name of his farm and village: “Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd”. Company initially sold fish, vegetable seeds, and magazines to customers in his region. Then in 1950 IKEA added furniture and home furnishings to the product line. IKEA entered new markets around the globe in the 1980s. IKEA expands dramatically into new markets such as USA, Italy, France and the UK. Operating Environment: Ikea is the world's largest furniture...
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