In India, it’s IKEA without the assembly
January 18th, 2006
Here’s an interesting piece on The Christian Science Monitor on the “IKEA-effect” even in countries where the store does not have a presence:
” CALCUTTA, INDIA – Stop at a traffic light in Delhi or Bombay (Mumbai),
and magazine hawkers descend, pressing against your car window a fan of
Bollywood gossip rags, newsweeklies, and … the IKEA catalog?
India, like most of Asia, has no IKEA outlet. The Swedish superstore,
known for its inexpensive yet stylish home furnishings, has swept across Europe
and North America – but not here. Indians who buy the catalogs aren’t interested
in mail order. Instead, they do what middle-class Indians have always done -
have local carpenters make the furniture… Locally made knockoffs of
IKEA pieces are ubiquitous in the homes of professionals in India’s rapidly
modernizing big cities. Educated and westernized, many of them prefer IKEA’s
minimalist Scandinavian style to homespun Indian handiwork or the clunky British
colonial piece…”
Text and photo by Indrani Sen
LINK
known for its inexpensive yet stylish home furnishings, has swept across Europe
and North America – but not here. Indians who buy the catalogs aren’t interested
in mail order. Instead, they do what middle-class Indians have always done -
have local carpenters make the furniture… Locally made knockoffs of
IKEA pieces are ubiquitous in the homes of professionals in India’s rapidly
modernizing big cities. Educated and westernized, many of them prefer IKEA’s
minimalist Scandinavian style to homespun Indian handiwork or the clunky British
colonial piece…”
Text and photo by Indrani Sen
LINK
This is pretty common in China as well. While there are Ikea stores in (at least) Shanghai and Beijing, many people take the catalog to a local custom furniture shop to have copies made. The cost can be as much as 50% less than buying the real thing.
We had a story from Tanzania too:
http://www.positivefanatics.com/2005/12/internet_spread.html
Wow, for as much use as I’ve made of Ikea furniture over the years, I’d much prefer local “homespun” “handiwork” if I could afford it!
Please let us know if you want to open outlets in India (North).We are team of well qualified people in Real Estate Field for last more Than 15 years.
Warm Regards
Amit Vohra- 09810160490
AMIT ESTATES