IKEA (/ aɪ ˈ k iː ə / eye-KEE-ə, Swedish:), is a multinational conglomerate founded in Sweden [6] [7] that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, household goods, and various related services.

IKEA was first registered as a trading company on the 28th of July, 1943 when Ingvar was just 17 years old. In his early years as an entrepreneur, Ingvar imported things like pens, watches and nylon stockings; adding furniture to the range in 1948.

Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA in 1943 at the age of 17, selling goods like pens and wallets. Småland, his home county in Sweden, was heavily forested with stony soil. Resourceful people who were expert at making the most of a little is a quality …

Apr 21, 2024 · IKEA is a name that has become synonymous with affordable, stylish, and functional home furnishings. With its distinctive blue and yellow logo, massive warehouse-like stores, and beloved Swedish meatballs, IKEA has made an indelible mark on the world of retail and in the homes of millions of customers across the globe.

IKEA began as a one-man mail order company in rural Sweden and has become one of the world’s leading brands. Learn more about our heritage and values here.

Jun 3, 2019 · From its origins as a business that sold items like pens and wallets to its wide-scale expansion across 52 markets around the globe, IKEA has since become one of the world's most valuable brands,...

Feb 21, 2025 · IKEA, home furnishings retailer that was the world’s largest seller of furniture in the early 21st century, operating more than 300 stores around the world. IKEA specializes in low-priced goods, sold whenever possible in compact “flat-pack” form for in …

Kamprad passed away in 2018, but the story of how he built IKEA into one of the world’s best known brands is a rags to riches story for the ages. Today, we can get our “Billy” bookcases with ease and that’s thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ingvar Kamprad.

The trading company IKEA was registered on the 28th of July, 1943. But it was a far cry from the furniture company we know today. In his early years as an entrepreneur, Ingvar Kamprad imported pens, watches and nylon stockings, learning the ropes of purchasing step by step.

Explore our digital exhibition The Story of IKEA and life at home for the many people from the 1940s until today, via video, photos, articles and podcasts.