Ikea strengthens China presence with local innovation, inclusive design

Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea reaffirmed its commitment to China through innovation, sustainability and inclusive design, as it showcased new products at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, held Nov. 5-10.

The FOSSTA Chinese New Year collection on display at Ikea's booth during the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nov. 7, 2025. [Photo by Cui Can/China.org.cn]

Lydia Song, deputy CEO of Ikea China, told China.org.cn on Friday that the company views the CIIE as an essential window into China's evolving consumer landscape and a key platform for high-quality development and international cooperation.

"The CIIE gives us the opportunity to present our innovations while gaining valuable insights into market and consumer trends," Song said. "It strengthens our connection with China and reinforces our long-term confidence in this market."

This year's participation also carries symbolic meaning, as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden. Song noted that, as a Swedish-born brand, Ikea is celebrating this milestone by featuring the horse — a shared cultural symbol in both nations — in its FOSSTA Chinese New Year collection, as a tribute to the enduring friendship between the two countries.

The new collection underscores Ikea's strategy to turn local insights into global products. "Through the CIIE's spillover effect, we've transformed ideas inspired by local culture into bestselling products," Song said.

A prime example is the RULLERUM electric sofa, which made its global debut at the fifth CIIE in 2022. The sofa has sold about 78,000 units in total, with nearly 50,000 sold in the 2025 fiscal year, accounting for around 27% of Ikea's annual sofa sales and ranking as the top-selling sofa model in China.

Ikea's age-friendly home designs on show at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nov. 5-10, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Ikea continues to respond to changing consumer needs, including those driven by China's fast-growing "silver economy," the term used for goods and services catering to older people.

"Today's seniors are active, independent and socially engaged," Song said. "They seek safety and health, but also emotional connection and a meaningful role in family life."

To meet this demand, Ikea is offering more tailored solutions for older customers.

Its age-friendly designs include bathrooms furnished with non-slip shower chairs, step stools with handrails, and rounded corners to prevent accidental bumps, making daily routines safer and more comfortable.

The retailer is also partnering with local authorities to make these products more accessible. Since September 2024, Ikea has joined Shanghai's green home appliances subsidy program, covering about 140 age-friendly products with discounts of up to 30%, enabling senior customers to enjoy better home experiences at lower prices.

Ikea's booth at this year's CIIE featured the upgraded RULLERUM 2.0 sofa, a senior-friendly living zone, and a partnership with the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment to support the protection of endangered species.

Song said the Chinese market is evolving from scale-driven growth to innovation-led, high-quality development, fostering a more transparent, inclusive and stable environment for foreign investment.

"We believe that walking with China means walking with the future," Song said. "The CIIE is a bridge for innovation, collaboration and shared progress."