Q&A: Does IKEA Franchise in the UK?
The Editorial Team , writer
IKEA is a Swedish-based flat-pack furniture manufacturer that is now the largest furniture retailer in the world. It is renowned for its modernist, Scandinavian-inspired design, affordable prices and the simplicity of its products. With over 420 locations spread across more than 50 countries, the business has developed a truly global reach, and it now operates in some of the most profitable markets in the world.
The remarkable success of the IKEA brand has resulted in the business being ascribed a symbolic position in modern society. It is seen as the epitome of contemporary design practices, as well as being representative of globalised neo-liberal capitalism, and it has also assumed a position of great cultural significance. In particular, the instructions that accompany its flat-pack furniture, its low-cost food halls and the use of Scandinavian words to identify products have all become recognisable memes that are perceived as typifying the IKEA experience.
IKEA boasts one of the most recognisable brands in the world and has become an economic superpower thanks to its intelligent, ready-to-assemble furniture designs. Here, we take a look at the history of the organisation, examine the corporate structure it utilises, and ask whether it offers franchising opportunities.
Does IKEA Franchise?
Yes, the vast majority of IKEA stores are technically franchised stores, though they are not franchised in a traditional sense. Around 370 of the 420 IKEA stores are franchised to INGKA holding – which is owned by the Stitching INGKA Foundation. This company is responsible for stores in Europe, as well as those in Japan, China, the US and Australia. Other companies hold the franchise agreement for different regions. For instance, the Al-Futtaim group operates four stores in Egypt, Qatar and the UAE, while Dairy Farm holds the rights to open and operate stores in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan.
This means that, although IKEA is technically a franchise, investment opportunities are not available to individuals or small organisations. Instead, considerable capital and the ability to manage all of the stores in a single nation or region is required to open an IKEA franchise.
As IKEA does not utilise a traditional franchise model, it's difficult to know how much the rights to a particular region cost. However, there are figures for development costs in specific areas. For instance, in 2012, the company moved into India and announced its intention to build a total of 25 stores across the country. This will require $1.9 billion of investment and is set to be made over a 15 to 20-year timeframe.
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History of IKEA
Established in 1943 by a 17-year-old carpenter, IKEA started life as a mail-order sales business. Its founder Ingvar Kamprad had begun building his business from a very young age and started by selling matches to his neighbours at just five years old. By 1948, IKEA has started to sell furniture, and the business' first brick and mortar store was opened in 1958. This was located in Älmhult, Sweden.
Further expansion occurred in the 1960s, with the company growing both domestically and internationally. In 1963, it opened its first store in Norway and, six years later, this was followed by a location in Denmark. However, it was the following decade that saw IKEA become a truly global brand and begin consolidating its commercial empire.
The first stores outside of Scandinavia were opened in Switzerland and West Germany in 1973 and 1974 respectively, while Japan, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia all received stores later in the decade. Expansion into Western Europe began in the 1980s, and these markets soon became the company's most profitable. To this day, Germany remains the country with the most IKEA stores.
IKEA’s business model
IKEA’s corporate structure is astoundingly complex and consists of various for-profit and not-for-profit organisations that are arranged and connected in a complex web. At the top of the organisational structure are the Stitching INGKA Foundation and the Intergogo Foundation, which are registered in the Netherlands and Liechtenstein respectively.
The Stitching INGKA Foundation is a charitable foundation that aims to promote and support innovation in architecture and design. In 2006, figures showed that it was the wealthiest charity in the world but also one of the least generous. Since then, it has expanded its purview to include an additional focus on helping children in the developing world. The business' complex corporate structure is utilised to decrease the amount of tax paid by IKEA, as well as to make the business immune to an aggressive takeover by outside elements.
Source: @ikeauk
What’s next for IKEA?
IKEA is continually working to develop new product ranges and to revolutionise the home furniture market yet again. The IKEA Home Lab was set up to act as the business' research and development arm, and it continues to innovate and introduce new materials, designs and ideas. In business terms, the company hopes to introduce a higher number of smaller stores into city environments over the coming years.
IKEA’s impact on the global furniture industry cannot be underestimated – it is the business that exemplifies the move from an individual, artisanal approach to furniture design and manufacture to simple, affordable, mass-produced and ready-to-assemble products. Likewise, its cultural footprint is enormous. From revolutionising store design practices to introducing a consumerist approach to home fittings and décor, IKEA manages to represent and sum up some of the most significant changes to society that have taken place over the last few decades.
If you’re interested in running a franchise within the home furnishings sector, have a look at some of the franchise opportunities at Point Franchise below.
BoConcept
BoConcept is Denmark’s retail furniture chain with over 250 stores in 60 countries worldwide. When customers visit their Brand Stores, Inspiration Stores or Studios around the world, they get professional advice about home interiors.
The prospective partner needs to have business knowledge, experience and a good foundation for running a business. They should have a positive attitude towards employee involvement. The right franchisee should have a personal passion for design, style and trends. Industry experience is not as important as passion, as franchisees are assigned an executive retail advisor who will share their in-depth understanding of the concept and daily running of a BoConcept store.
A minimum investment with BoConcept is £100,000, with a total investment of £500,000 and an equity of between 20-30 percent.
Schmidt
Schmidt designs, manufactures and distributes bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and home furnishings. Offering products with a high-end, luxury look for a reasonable price, it creates its entire output in six factories across Europe.
You’ll notice a range of benefits when joining the Schmidt family - no entry fees or royalties; no stock, as purchases are delivered directly from the factory to the customer; and access to a comprehensive training scheme.
A standard Schmidt franchise will require a personal investment in the region of £80,000.
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Apollo Blinds
Apollo Blinds is the UK’s biggest blind franchise with more than 50 outlets nationwide. For over 40 years, the company has been creating a distinguished offering that sets itself apart from its competitors by providing premium, made-to-measure blinds, awnings and shutters for customers all over the UK.
Apollo Blinds praises the franchise model for its success and is dedicated to providing an extensive support network for its franchisees. This includes help with marketing, technical support, knowledge sharing etc.
To meet the demands of the expanding industry, Apollo Blinds is looking for passionate and enthusiastic franchisees. It requires a minimum of £20,000 for the initial investment.
Learn more
For a full list of franchise opportunities in the home and construction sector, consult our UK franchise directory.
Discover other franchise opportunities
The Editorial Team , writer