IKEA online shopping in Romania

      Even if it does not have the easiest ordering system, the retailer received online orders from day one of operation.

      At this time, only customers that have or sign up for an account can place online orders, and the ordering method involves copying and pasting the code of the product in the order form. The kitchens and fragile glass objects still can’t be delivered through online orders and payment methods currently allow only cash payment and subsequently an online payment system will be put into service.

      IKEA’s initiative to make its products available to customers all across the country is a step forward, following the example of subsidiaries in other countries in which it operates. Even though it is appreciated by many observers, it should be noted, however, that in this way IKEA is just catching up and adhere to a standard already achieved by some local profile retailers present in the online market - MOBEXPERT, Elvilla or Casa Rusu are some examples. However we can expect a strong rebound and an upward trend in IKEA’s online sales, especially considering the wide product portfolio of the Swedish, which remain the unofficial champions of accessories selling, trend that most local profile retailers continue to ignore.

      Swedish retailer manages to keep the attention of the media in Romania by this movement that occurs just weeks after the shot image in raising the minimum hourly wage for employees and collaborators of IKEA USA. In this way, half of IKEA employees received a wage increase, making this a single market move in USA retail, where such movements are taboo. The move is all the more surprising as some benefits offered to IKEA employees’ aren’t found in many American retailers. However, contrary to expectations of most analysts, IKEA officials stated that although these increases in the wages require major investments, they will not involve price increases.

      Returning to the online trading market in our country, IKEA’s debut in this market is really just a natural movement to align modern retail trends? Or, given the novation of the Swedish company, this is a subtle exploration of the market in areas not covered by the store in Bucharest (Moldavia, Transylvania and Banat), followed by the opening of other stores or regional warehouses?