The IKEA Catalogue has a phenomenal 70-year legacy. Over the years it has become an iconic and beloved publication, and it has been an important success factor for IKEA to reach and inspire the many people across the world, with home furnishing solutions and products. But times are changing. IKEA has become more digital and accessible while embracing new ways to connect with more people. Customer behavior and media consumption have changed, and the IKEA Catalogue has been less used. Inter IKEA Systems B.V., the worldwide IKEA franchisor, has therefore taken the emotional but rational decision to respectfully end the successful career of the IKEA Catalogue – and look to the future with excitement.
“For both customers and co-workers, the IKEA Catalogue is a publication that brings a lot of emotions, memories and joy. For 70 years it has been one of our most unique and iconic products, which has inspired billions of people across the world. Turning the page with our beloved catalogue is in fact a natural process since media consumption and customer behaviors have changed. In order to reach and interact with the many people, we will keep inspiring with our home furnishing solutions in new ways”, says Konrad Grüss, Managing Director, Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
Life at home has never been more important. During the last few years IKEA has tested new formats and ways to distribute the content of the IKEA Catalogue. A wealth of knowledge and insights, from both customers and the IKEA retailers, have been collected and IKEA will continue to help people to plan their needs and dreams at home, with existing and new exciting tools. While it is time to say goodbye to the catalogue, IKEA look to the future with excitement as this chapter closes, another one begins.
“We are not starting from scratch. We have been transforming many aspects of how to reach and interact with our customers, and the work continues to find new ways to amplify unique IKEA home furnishing knowledge, products and solutions in the best possible way – to inspire the many people through new ways, channels and formats”, says Konrad Grüss.
The decision to say goodbye to the IKEA Catalogue goes hand-in-hand with the ongoing transformation of IKEA, being more digital and accessible. A transformation IKEA is deep into already. Last year IKEA online retail sales increased by 45% worldwide, IKEA.com welcomed more than four billion visits – and at the same time IKEA have improved our digital services, and launched new apps for a better IKEA experience – wherever our customers meet us.
IKEA will honour and celebrate the fantastic history of the IKEA Catalogue. As a tribute, during the autumn of 2021, IKEA will make a book available, filled with great home furnishing inspiration and knowledge. With that said, the beloved IKEA Catalogue as we know it today will not continue.
5 facts about the IKEA catalogue:
• 1951: Ingvar Kamprad himself put together the first IKEA Catalogue, and the very first catalogue cover featured the MK wing chair in brown upholstery. Printed and distributed in 285 000 copies in the southern of Sweden, 68 pages. In Swedish.
• 1998: First catalogue “IKEA at office” available on internet, which was a special edition only showing furniture for business/offices. The ambition this year was to present the whole catalogue online, but due to the complexity with IT-systems the launch was postponed.
• 2000: Launch of both a printed and digital version of the IKEA Catalogue.
• 2001: E-commerce is launched for the first time in the IKEA history, in Sweden and Denmark.
• 2016: At its peak year, the IKEA Catalogue was distributed in 200 million copies, in in 69 different versions, 32 languages and to more than 50 markets.
About IKEA and our franchise system
IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Today, 12 different groups of companies own and operate IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.
About Inter IKEA Group
Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG, IKEA Industry AB and related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.
The IKEA retail business is operated through a franchise system with franchisees that are authorised to a market and to sell the IKEA product range within specified geographical territories. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the owner of the IKEA Concept and worldwide IKEA franchisor, who also assigns different IKEA companies to develop the range, supply products and deliver communication solutions.