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Analysis of IKEA

Customer (Who specifically is helped?)
IKEA's primary customers are budget-conscious individuals and young families who are furnishing their first homes, apartments, or dorm rooms. They are willing to invest some of their own time and effort to save money.
Pain (What is the frustration for the customer?)
The core frustration is a often shopping experience that requires visiting multiple specialty stores. This search is compounded by the high prices and logistical difficulties of transporting bulky, pre-assembled furniture.
Solution (How does the product remove the frustration?)
IKEA consolidates the entire home furnishing experience under one massive roof to eliminate the need to visit multiple stores. This one-stop-shop model for coordinated products, combined with the signature flat-pack design and self-assembly model, removes logistical hassles and passes enormous cost savings directly to the customer.
Offer (Pricing, warranties, terms)
The offer is a wide range of home furnishings at exceptionally low prices, supported by a generous return policy and a free loyalty program (IKEA Family) for extra discounts. This is complemented by an in-store restaurant and food market, turning a shopping trip into a family outing.
Channel (How do customers discover and purchase the offer?)
Customers discover IKEA primarily via its massive, destination retail stores. These unique warehouse-style showrooms guide customers through curated room settings, where they can then pick up their chosen items and purchase them on the same day.

Exercises for the reader

  1. Can you think of a totally different way to efficiently help this market?
  2. Can you think of a different market where an analogous strategy would work?
  3. What is the underlying need that the customer has beyond the immediate problem?

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