Genius in Retailing

One of the main reasons we were in Charlotte last week was to visit Ikea.  Apparently this is the place to go if you like to shop.  Cari was a like a kid on Christmas Eve the day before we went.  I didn't really know much about Ikea other than it is a furniture store.

What I found when I got there was genius in retailing.  Ikea in Charlotte is a two story building.  When you go in you are greeted with large posters and maps of the store showing you how the place works.   We took the escalator upstairs to the showroom.  

The furniture is setup in complete rooms.  The rooms are fully decorated floor to ceiling and every bit of it is for sale.  You can go into these display rooms and get a sense for what the pieces may look like in your room.  You can sit on the couches and chairs, sit at the tables, and open all the kitchen cabinets.  

There are also a few areas that list as full apartments.  One was approximately 550 sq ft and showed the living room, bath room, kitchen, and bed room.   All linked together and fully furnished.  

You continue your journey through dozens of display areas becoming inspired to update your own home. 

Mixed in some of the display areas are areas showing off more options.  There was one for offices where you can choose lamps, chairs, desks, etc...   

Before you go downstairs you walk passed the Ikea restaurant.  Swedish meatballs seemed to be the most popular thing to try.  As well as anything you could make with Lingonberry.

Downstairs are the departments with all the items that you have been wanting since you saw them in the showroom.  This is where you start loading up the cart.   The next section is a large warhouse area that holds all of the boxes to the furniture you want to buy.  

Finally, after you checkout, but before you leave there is one more chance to buy the Swedish meatballs and Ligonberry products.

Everything about Ikea was well organized and I think they have some retailing ideas that will be catching on as time goes on.  As I walked through the showroom and sat on the couches I kept seeing this room in my house.  It really was inspirational and encourages you to think about your furniture.  

The first thing we did when we got home was started re-organizing our room.   That, and putting together the Ikea furniture we purchased.   

Genius.