Ikea rolling out new customer loyalty program

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 24, 2011

Jackie DeChamps of Ikea tells Furniture/Today’s Ray Allegrezza about what’s new at the company’s U.S. stores.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Swedish home furnishings giant Ikea is in the midst of rolling out a customer loyalty program in its U.S. stores, offering consumers special discounts and other perks upon signing up.

At store kiosks or online, consumers enter some basic information, including how they prefer to be reached - by text or email for instance - and they can ask to receive the annual catalog.

In return, they instantly get a loyalty card entitling them to special discounts and offers based on their profile, free coffee and tea in store and extra time for the kids in the Smaland play area, among other things.

Jackie DeChamps, deputy store manager for Ikea in Charlotte recently talked with Furniture/Today Editor in Chief Ray Allegrezza about the program as well as the "small spaces" display at the entrance of the showroom. The area features eight vignettes highlighting smart small-space solutions for various lifestyles, including an apartment living display that uses Charlotte's uptown skyline as a backdrop.

See Furniture/Today's Aug. 29 issue for more.