The Unofficial IKEA Web Journal

Maggie Galehouse interviewed us over the phone a couple of weeks ago and here’s an excerpt from her article on the Houston Chronicle:

“ALMHULT, SWEDEN — Most furniture chains don’t have hard-core fans who camp out in parking lots before grand openings or blog about copycat competition in China.

But Ikea is more than a chain. The blue-and-yellow warehouse jammed with low-cost, high-style furniture and housewares is closer to a design revolution.

At company headquarters this spring, project manager Lars Dafnas summed up Ikea’s appeal in just three words: “Natural. Blond. Solid.” It’s a short profile that has cut a long swath through the global
furniture market, making Ikea the world’s leading home-furnishings retailer….

…With $18.3 billion in sales last year, the world clearly likes what Ikea is doing.

At www.positivefanatics.com, the self-proclaimed “unofficial Ikea web journal,” megafans blog about Ikea news and share photos and wish lists.

Armand Frasco, who created the blog in November, said the site is so popular that people think he works for Ikea and regularly ask for him for job applications.

“It’s amazing,” Frasco said. “I hear from people in Michigan, Russia, Malaysia, everywhere.”

When the Houston Ikea opened at its new location in August 2004, the first customers lined up nine days before the doors opened. With a  $10,000 gift certificate as an incentive for the first, it’s easy to understand the motivation. But living in a tent city in the middle of a Houston summer is, as they say, a whole ‘nother thing..”

LINK

[Thanks to Allen Reid!]

Image: “Thar They Blow!” @ IKEA Lovers/FLICKR
ABF © 2006

In the News, Personal, Projects, Travel IKEA Design, IKEA Grand Opening, IKEA Houston, IKEA Store Opening, ikea usa

Check out this witty composition by Ainurel in Sweden.
A Viking cat…err..cap?

“Funny stuff from Ikea: Bästis hooks”

FLICKR link

© All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Humor ikea blogs, ikea humor, IKEA on Flickr

Its final: no IKEA for Orlando, at least for now:

“Officials with Scandinavian furniture store Ikea International say they want to put a few rumors to rest in Orlando.

Ever since a January report (published by a local paper, though not this one) announced that Ikea bought up 30 acres of land near the Mall at Millenia, businesspeople and homeowners alike scrambled for more information.

Problem is, Ikea’s camp says the company did no such thing. Though the retailer announced it is definitely making a Florida appearance once it can find suitable land in South Florida, it has no plans — yet — for the Orlando area.

“We recognize the customer base in Central Florida,” says spokesman Joseph Roth, “but South Florida has a larger customer base with its population.”

Last year, 310 million people visited Ikea worldwide. On some Sundays in Britain, according to one estimate, almost twice as many people visit an Ikea branch as attend church…”

Orlando Business Journal

LINK

Well, at least you can take a hot-air balloon ride

In the News IKEA Florida, IKEA Grand Opening, IKEA Orlando, IKEA rumor, IKEA Store Opening, ikea usa

“My name is Istvan and I come from Hungary. I have seen your web-site and I would like to know more about you and IKEA.

I am a big IKEA fanatic too. There was an article about me and my IKEA catalogue collection in an in-house magasin at IKEA called README.

Best regards,

Istvan”

Well, congratulations Istvan! If we ever need a back issue we know where to look now:)

People IKEA catalog, IKEA fans, IKEA Hungary

Ozgur Alaz has a compilation of great IKEA ads in his blog:

Check out Marketellica

Weblogs IKEA advertising, ikea blogs

Everyday Fabulous Exhibit
IKEA New York
May 19-23
9 A.M. – 6 P.M.

LINK

Announcements Everyday Fabulous, IKEA advertising, IKEA New York

Cool site CURBED just posted pics of these cool stopover makeovers:

“Well, this is certainly like no other bus stop we’ve ever seen. Looks like Ikea is trying to smooth over any Red Hook apprehension by outfitting some of the city’s bus shelters with modern yet sensible furnishings. At this one on West 57th Street, there doesn’t seem to be anyone standing guard. So, uh, who wants a free couch?…”

Visit CURBED for the rest of the story and more pics.

Thanks Debbie G!

In the News curbed, Everyday Fabulous, IKEA advertising, IKEA Brooklyn, IKEA New York, IKEA Red Hook

“Ikea boss Anders Dahlvig said Monday the Swedish furniture giant was
confident of cracking Japan on its second attempt as thousands of
customers flocked to its new store east of Tokyo.

Ikea opened the
doors to one of its biggest stores, spanning 40,000 square metres
(430,000 square feet), with 10,000 product lines, 2,200 car parking
spaces, a child-care area and one of Tokyo’s largest restaurants.

The
new store, in Ikea’s trademark blue and yellow colours, marks Ikea’s
return to the world’s second-largest retail market after it withdrew 20
years ago having failed to win over Japan’s notoriously finicky
consumers.

“I think last time in the 1970s it was way too early to come to Japan,” said Dahlvig, Ikea group president and chief executive.”

Press Release
The Embassy of Sweden

LINK

In the News Anders Dahlvig, IKEA CEO, IKEA Japan, IKEA Tokyo

Monday cuteness attack!

“It’s fun to pretend I live in IKEA”

melmikell @ IKEA Lovers/FLICKR
© All rights reserved. Used with permission

People IKEA on Flickr, monday cuteness attack!

“Here is a company that I thought was cool – BEMZ – they make custom slipcovers for IKEA chairs and sofas.  Finally!  They even send free swatches, all the way from Sweden.”

Christine

BEMZ

Product Updates BEMZ, IKEA furniture, IKEA slipcovers