I have chosen to analyse IKEA as most household are likely to have an item from this retailer. Also, from doing background research, its entrepreneurial and innovative schemes since 1943 urged me to do further research to discover how it grew and expanded to 41 different countries around the world. I have specifically evaluated IKEA UK, by analysing the importance of their products, consumers and staff members and how their drive is to give a positive equal portrayal of themselves, the environment; ways to reduce wastage through encouraging their audience to take part in environmental activities. I will also touch upon the IKEA foundation and accomplishments within the charity sector and financial background including some positives and negative of tax-exempt organisations link with IKEA.
IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad a 17 year old entrepreneur who first began selling match sticks around his town in the South of Sweden. From the very beginning; good quality products for low prices was established to be one of IKEA’s vision and until this day continues to be carried out throughout all its stores. By1948, Mr Kamprada began his furniture lines, which till now are IKEAs best sellers. Throughout this time, advertising on newspaper was being done as well as catalogues which promoted all products available to customers. Only 14 years later, the first IKEA store was opened in Sweden as a result of products promotions through showrooms and the willingness to create an even bigger establishment. Up until the 80’s, IKEA had made enough capital to expand to the USA, France, Italy and the UK. (IKEA 2011)
In regards to IKEAs legal status, it is said IKEA is linked to a non-charitable company which allows them to pay 3.5% on annual tax (Doctorow 2009). According to the Economist, the IKEA foundation was labelled the world 's richest foundation, and IKEA the biggest furniture retailers, (The Economist 2006) this article includes
References: Doctorow, C. (2009) ‘Ikea is owned by a "charitable foundation," pays only 3.5% tax’ [online] August 26 available from [10 February 2012] Euromonitor International (2011) ‘Inter IKEA Systems BV in Retailing (World)’ [online] available from http://www.portal.euromonitor.com/Portal/Handlers/accessPDF.ashx?c=53PDF&f=F-181606-20060553.pdf&code=Q2V4MJV6kaXo1bR2MG3pIJYfvQY%3d [14 February 2012] Holker, T (2001) Introduction to Business Organisation. New York: McGraw-Hill Education (UK) Ltd http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/about_ikea/facts_and_figures/facts_figures.html IKEA (2011) IKEA Sustainability Report [online] available from [15 February 2012] IKEA (2011) ‘IKEA UK & Ireland scoops Reward & Benefits Award’ [online] available from [ 12 February 2012] IKEA (2011) ‘IKEA UK & Ireland appoints new Country Manager’ [online] available from [15 February 2012 The Economist (2006)‘Flat-pack accounting- IKEA’. The Economist [online] May 11. available from [ 15 February 2012]