IKEA is a Swedish based furniture retailer that is known throughout the world. Ingvar Kamprad was only 17 years old when he founded the furniture giant in 1943. The name “IKEA” is an acronym meaning “Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd” which consists of his name, the name of the farm he grew up on, and his hometown. Since conception, IKEA has grown into one of the most recognized names in furniture, interior design, and home décor. A visit to one of IKEA’s 384 stores in 48 different countries is more of a destination experience rather than a quick shopping trip. Each IKEA includes a day care, café, Swedish food market, and a large maze of show rooms set up displaying everything from couches, rugs, bedding, lighting, silverware sets, fabric bolts, to napkin rings all readily available for purchase in store. While anyone can outfit any home in any style at an IKEA store, the company got its start in simple affordable wood furniture that the consumer brought home and self assembles. Many retailers such as Walmart and Target have adapted the idea of selling IKEA style furniture that must be assembled by the consumer.

The “Billy” bookcase is one of the most basic and popular items sold by IKEA. The Billy bookcase has been a favorite of IKEA customers since the early 1960’s. The bookcase is a three tried case that stands 41 ¾”, has a width of 15 3/4/”, a depth of 11” and each shelf can hold a maximum of 31 pounds; an additional shelf is available for purchase. Designed by Gillis Lundgren, the Billy bookcase comes in white, black, brown ash, and birch. The Billy features adjustable shelves, takes up a small narrow space on the wall for space conservation, and is stackable. The bookcase is made of particleboard, paper, veneer (birch veneer, ash veneer, white veneer, black veneer depending on color), stain, clear acrylic lacquer, and the back is made of fiberboard and foil. Included is a photo of the Billy bookcase in the “birch” color to show best on this white paper and to show the depth of the shelves.

As you can see form the photo the book case is a very standard bookcase and perfect for decorating when a person wants what is going to be on the shelves to be the focus rather than the shelves themselves. On the website IKEA includes information deemed “Good to know”, in this section it states that is shelf must be tethered to a wall to reduce accidents with it falling over. The website also provides care instructions on cleaning the case, they state it is best cleaned with a damp cleaner using a mild cloth then wiped dry with a clean cloth.

The intended audience for the Billy is anyone in the market for an affordable basic bookcase that anything can be displayed on. The bookcase is so generic that it can fit into any décor style with ease and with its light weight and small stature can be stacked to create a bookcase wall in any room or stylish shelving display in any room.

Other big box retailers have added similar styles of bookcases to the line of up self-assembled furniture offered. IKEA has carved a niche out in the market by not only being the first to offer these types of basic, affordable furniture options, but by being known for having the best quality and style for the money. In order for other retailers like Walmart or Target to compete a large expansion in each of the furniture lines would have to take place.

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