IKEA Operation Management Case Study

IKEA is a Swedish multinational group that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories. It was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden and now operates in 52 countries with 355 stores. IKEA is different from other furniture retailers in that it sells flat-packed furniture that customers assemble themselves in-store or at home. Major challenges for IKEA operations include overcrowding in stores, long wait times, and potentially running out of popular products. The operations function at IKEA focuses on process design, product design, supply chain management and continuous improvement, while the sales function focuses on promotions, customer service, and resolving customer issues.