When you think of IKEA, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps the flatpack furniture, the sprawling showrooms, or the famous Scandinavian designs. But if you're a true IKEA fan, you may also think of their food—especially the iconic Swedish meatballs. Yes, a furniture store that’s equally famous for its dining options! It’s an interesting combination, but it’s not just a quirky coincidence. IKEA gone plus food things shows a well-planned approach. And the focus is on the why behind IKEA selling food and how it contributes to the company's success. The Origins of IKEA’s Food Strategy To understand why IKEA sells food, you first need to know a bit about its founder, Ingvar Kamprad. Born in 1926 in rural Sweden, Kamprad showed entrepreneurial tendencies early on. As a child, he bought matchsticks in bulk and resold them at a profit to his neighbors. This formative experience planted a seed in Kamprad’s mind—if you could offer products at low prices, people would buy ...