The IKEA Edge: Building Global Growth and Social Good at the World's Most Iconic Home Store

CHAPTER 8Efficient Retail Stores

The task of the retail store is to combine a high level of inspiration and commerciality and an exciting and smooth shopping experience—and at the same time be a very cost-efficient sales machine. These high standards need to be kept up consistently during long opening hours seven days a week. To be able to compete on prices and maintain a profitable business, retailers must be better than the competition at operating efficient stores.

The Challenges of Growth

Over the years, Ikea stores have increased substantially in size. Let’s look at some of the numbers. Sales of $140 million (€100 million) per year are not unusual. Stores are open 60 to 70 hours a week. Most of them have 500 plus employees, and staff fluctuation ...