1. What is the decision facing IKEA? How would you go about becoming one of the wealthiest people in the world? Ingvar Kamprad did it by flying coach, taking public transportation, driving 10-year-old automobiles, moving from Sweden to Switzerland (for lower taxes)... oh, and incidentally, founding IKEA- now the world's largest furniture store. Kamprad founded IKEA in Sweden in 1943 when he was just 17 years old and while the world was caught up in World War II. He began by selling pens, picture frames, wallets, and other bargain items out of a catalog. In 1951 he began selling furniture made by local carpenters and in 1957 opened his first IKEA furniture store in Sweden. Today, the company generates over $18 billion in annual sales from stores located all over the world. By implementing a solid retail strategy, IKEA has become a furniture juggernaut!