Question

b) IKEA is also very "IKEA-centric." For example, the IKEA store itself will be laid out as a maze that requires customers to walk through every department before they reach the checkout stations. This forced path can seem constraining to their customers who naturally are more free spirited than the IKEA management model. Can this spell trouble in the near future, or is the IKEA way a sustainable business model? Why?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

As long as IKEA is able to deliver value and differentiation via quality, cost, and new designs, then the IKEA way of putting people through the different departments before making checkouts, will not spell trouble.

Furthermore, the movement of people through the different departments will give consumers, exposure to other new products available and it will make them aware of the quality present in other goods. As a result, the consumer and the company will benefit from increased sales.

Here, IKEA has to assure that quality is to be maintained and movement through the different departments should not be high traffic and it will be convenient for people to easily move through to remain interested in visiting the IKEA stores on a regular basis.  

Thus, it will be the right step to build a sustainable business model by IKEA.