ideas/Apple & Ikea

Marriage made in heaven?

Apple sells it’s products from it’s website. Apple sells products from it’s flagship inner-city stores and selected retailers. Is that really enough?

With 2007 being year of the Mac (on dadako.com at least) and Mac-daddy renaming it’s self from “Apple computer inc” to “Apple Inc” they may need some extra options, outlets, for offloading gadgets to consumers.

Mac’s are sexy in any environment, be it home or office. If it’s home furnishings you are after, buying a Mac or Apple products in a furniture retail establishment may actually make some sense.

Style-wise Apple is similar to MUJI. Apple is not similar to the brash Yellow + Blue IKEA. Apple is similar style wise to the products Ikea sell, at least. MUJI is unbranded, the Japanese word actually means unbranded goods. Apple is brand.

So why Ikea?

In terms of distribution, Ikea is a powerhouse with 237 stores in over 35 countries. They sell low price goods as well as high priced goods. Apple owns a few flagship stores, and also sell low to high price goods. Apple stores are not conducive to the masses though, who tend to buy the majority of goods in donut-ring superstores.

what is in it for Ikea?

Purely for complimenting their own goods. Replace all the ugly cardboard cut-out fake computers, put Apple there instead.

The aesthetics of Apple teamed with the new vision of home entertainment (it’s driving force), and how to get their products to the masses for their next billion in profits (it’s ultimate goal) make selling Apple in non-electronic stores, well, obvious, really.

Think different? -> Sell Apple in Ikea stores. It could just make sense.