The IKEA story
Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA in 1943, at the age of 17, in Småland in southern Sweden. He started by selling pens and small goods, then added furniture. In the 1950s IKEA introduced flat-pack furniture, which customers assemble themselves, and opened its first store in Älmhult in 1958. The model of low prices, self-service and good design became the IKEA concept.
What makes IKEA powerful
IKEA's power is the idea of "a better everyday life for the many people". Its stores, with their showrooms, marketplace and restaurant, are destinations in their own right. Product names, the blue-and-yellow colours and the catalogue tradition made IKEA a shared cultural reference in many countries. Its scale lets it keep prices low while investing in design.
IKEA today
IKEA is run as a franchise. Inter IKEA Group owns the brand and concept and supplies the range, while franchisees, the largest of which is Ingka Group, run the stores. Both are owned by foundations. IKEA has made commitments on renewable energy, sustainably sourced wood and cotton, and on furniture buy-back and resale.
What comes next for IKEA
IKEA's next phase centres on smaller city stores, online sales and lower prices, along with circular services that help furniture last longer. Its scale makes these shifts both harder and more significant.
Why IKEA ranks #9
IKEA ranks #24 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 with a Power Score of 78.34.
Europe's ranking carries the same score, which places IKEA at #9 among brands of core European origin.
Pillar profile
IKEA was assessed on all five pillars and 50 parameters in the World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026. See its full global profile.
Versus its nearest rivals
8 Retail brands are in the Europe 100. IKEA is #1 in its sector.
Questions people ask
What rank is IKEA in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?
IKEA ranks #9 of 100 in Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 78.34 out of 100. It also ranks #24 in WCRC's World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026.
When was IKEA founded and who founded it?
IKEA was founded in 1943. Founder(s): Ingvar Kamprad.
Who leads IKEA today?
Jakub Jankowski, CEO of Inter IKEA Group. The brand is owned by Inter IKEA Group (franchisor) and Ingka Group (largest franchisee), both owned through foundations.
Where is IKEA headquartered?
IKEA is based in Delft, Netherlands (franchisor); brand origin Älmhult, Sweden. Its country of origin is Sweden.
What is IKEA's revenue?
€44.6bn total IKEA retail sales (FY25); Inter IKEA Group revenue €26.3bn, according to the company's published results.
What is a signature fact about IKEA?
The name IKEA combines the founder's initials (Ingvar Kamprad) with Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up.
Key facts
| Brand | IKEA |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Inter IKEA Group (franchisor) and Ingka Group (largest franchisee), both owned through foundations |
| Headquarters | Delft, Netherlands (franchisor); brand origin Älmhult, Sweden |
| Founded | 1943 |
| Founder(s) | Ingvar Kamprad |
| Leadership | Jakub Jankowski, CEO of Inter IKEA Group |
| Latest revenue | €44.6bn total IKEA retail sales (FY25); Inter IKEA Group revenue €26.3bn Source |
| Sector | Retail |
| Country of origin | Sweden |
| Signature fact | The name IKEA combines the founder's initials (Ingvar Kamprad) with Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up. |
| Official website | ikea.com |
IKEA is ranked #9 in WCRC's Europe's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 (Power Score 78.34).