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IKEA is a company that has always been forward-thinking, so it’s no surprise that the company is harnessing disruptive technology to boost its progress.

First beginning as a small mail-order company in Sweden, IKEA quickly launched into a global powerhouse, known predominantly for its affordable flat-pack furniture. The organisation now attracts roughly 700 million customer visits every year, meaning its wide variety of products are in millions of homes around the world.

In order to keep this large number of customers happy and continually engaged, the company has some exciting strategies that harness modern technology. These systems stand to bolster their internal operations and improve overall customer experience.

AI optimisation: Creating a better everyday 

In recent years, IKEA has turned to cutting-edge technologies like AI and drone technology. These stand to reshape IKEA’s logistical processes as the company aims to keep setting new standards across the retail industry.

The company first introduced autonomous drones in 2021 predominantly for inventory management. These drones were developed in collaboration with drone provider Verity and, as of 2023, more than 100 are used by IKEA to count inventory across 16 European locations.

Representing a pioneering effort in retail logistics, the company is eager to continue using drones to monitor warehouse inventory. For instance, across its supply chain operations, the company is optimising the space used in its fleets of delivery and supply vehicles, in addition to using drones to monitor warehouse inventory across some of its European stores.

By leveraging a sophisticated supply chain, IKEA manages a vast array of products, balancing high quality with cost-effectiveness. The global furniture market, projected to be worth approximately US$800bn in 2024, highlights the scale of IKEA’s operations.