While it may have missed the Summer sweet spot and used the wrong name, IKEA has paid homage to an Aussie icon to mark its 50th anniversary in this country.
IKEA Australia CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer Mirja Viinanen said the Swedish furnishing company had launched the world’s first-ever flat-packed flip flops (thongs).
“What better way to thank our loyal customers, young and old, than with the bespoke, IKEA FLIP FLÖPS – a playful blend of Swedish design and the Australian love for flip flops. It’s our way of saying thank you – and a reminder that after 50 years, we’re just getting started,” Ms Viinanen said.
She said the hyper-limited footwear were the first flat-pack fashion accessory of its kind, “requiring a simple three-step assembly”.
“The footwear is the perfect way for IKEA to celebrate this milestone, blending design innovation and Scandinavian style with quintessential Aussie culture.”
Ms Viinanen said to celebrate 50 years in Australia, IKEA commissioned new research uncovering the habits and flat-pack feats of customers here, finding:\
- 87 percent of Aussies have visited an IKEA store at least once in their lives.
- One in three of Aussies (33 percent) confess to taking an IKEA pencil home after a store visit.
- Nearly one in three Aussies (31 percent) own the iconic blue IKEA FRAKTA bag.
- More than one in three Aussies (35 percent) have gotten lost in an IKEA store.
- Over one in 10 (11 percent) of Aussies have argued with a friend or loved one at an IKEA store.
- One in 20 of Aussies (5 percent) have had a romantic experience at IKEA, such as going on a date.
- Eight in 10 of Aussies (81 percent) have owned at least one piece of IKEA furniture.
- On average, an Aussie has owned around four pieces of IKEA furniture in their lifetime.
- The average Aussie has 2.8 pieces of IKEA furniture in their homes.
- The average Aussie has assembled between three to four IKEA flat-pack furniture items in their lifetime.
- Two in five of Aussies (41 percent) have experienced frustration or stress while assembling an IKEA flatpack.
- Two in three of Aussies (66 percent) agree that a visit to IKEA goes beyond mere shopping – it’s an experience in itself.
She said today, IKEA operated 10 stores across Australia and employed more than 3900 co-workers.
“In 2024, IKEA welcomed more than 17 million store visits, recorded over 105 million website visits and sold over 72 million products.”
Visit the IKEA website for a chance to win one of over 3000 free pairs of flip flops.
