Latest news with #BillyBookcase
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shocking Ikea flyer from 1985 shows VERY surprising prices... but not everything is what it seems
Swedish homewares giant Ikea is a household name and somehow, 40 years later after their first store opened in the U.S., some of their most popular furniture is even cheaper. A resurfaced flyer from 1985 has Allen-key enthusiasts agog at the price differences, with some of their most-loved furniture cheaper than what it was decades earlier. Shared to Reddit, the user showed four popular products and the price from the catalogue in comparison to what they are on the Ikea website in 2025. The first was the Billy bookcase - a staple in many houses all around the world. In 1985, the load-bearing piece piece retailed for $82, and now has decreased in price, selling for $69.99. The next piece was the simple Lack side table, selling for $25 in 1985. In 2025, the loved-item is retailing now for $9.99. A Klippan loveseat 40 years ago was a tad puffier, but a more streamlined model is now almost $100 cheaper, at $299. Lastly, the catalogue showed an armchair for $148, with the Poäng chair now only $69. The furniture giant pointed out their price cuts in an advertisement published in 2015, which celebrated 30 years of the store being in America and showed off their low prices. While the prices have risen in the last 10 years, they are still lower than the 1985 prices. Despite the cheaper prices, many users chimed in declaring the quality of the furniture is far worse in 2025. 'Surprised how everyone's complaining that IKEA furniture is made more cheaply now than it used to be,' commented one user. 'Like yeah, sure it is, but how many companies have made their product intentionally worse over the years while ALSO doubling or tripling the price? The fact that prices haven't changed much shows at least some integrity on their part.' 'I agree. And while IKEA doesn't make the most durable products on earth, they definitely still make better stuff than comparably-priced products you get at other stores (Amazon, Walmart, etc),' chimed in another. 'You can still get a decent, weighty dresser for $100 at IKEA, best alternative you'll find on Amazon is some super thin particle board with those dreadful fabric pseudo-drawers.' Others declared the Swedish furniture had stood the test of time. 'In general I think IKEA suffers from the reputation flat-pack furniture has that is caused by experiences with flat-pack made by literally any company other than IKEA,' one happy customer wrote. They continued: 'I've bought cheap non-IKEA flat-pack desks and cabinets and it's barely cheaper and so much worse. The parts don't fit together as well, the joints aren't as sturdy, and the instructions are inevitably so much harder to follow assembling it.' The showed four popular products and the price from the catalogue in comparison to what they are on the Ikea website in 2025 (pictured) In June, Ikea announced it was closing more of its smaller-format stores in both the UK and California, as the global retail shakeup continues to claim big names. Launched in 2023, the concept aimed to give customers a more tailored experience — with smaller showrooms where shoppers could meet with design specialists, place custom orders, and collect items. However, the company says the format no longer fits customer demand. The Swedish furniture giant confirmed it is shutting down three of its Plan & Order Points locations this month — two in the UK and one in the US. The Liverpool and Stockport stores closed last week, and the final US location in Long Beach is closing its doors forever in June. The first Ikea store opened in 1958 in Sweden, and expanded to the US in 1985. It has grown into a furniture empire and operates approximately 485 locations, 74 being in the US.
Tom's Guide
01-08-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
IKEA's iconic Billy Bookcase just got a welcome update — here's what's new
No matter where you live or what your budget is, you've probably owned a Billy Bookcase before. As one of IKEA's most iconic pieces of furniture, this budget-friendly and versatile shelf is easily upgraded and will suit just about any space. So it makes sense that IKEA continues to upgrade the Billy line, and its latest change is a welcome eco-friendly switch. 'We are reducing plastic consumption from the product by changing the edge band to paper foil,' says IKEA's Paulann Bellino, living room storage HFB leader, speaking to Apartment Therapy. But that's not all. 'Along with the changing of the edge band, we also improved the back panel assembly." IKEA's Billy Bookcase used to feature plastic edge banding around the outside of the bookshelf, but according to Apartment Therapy, IKEA is eliminating this plastic component and instead using paper foil, which is already featured on the sides of the shelf. Paper foil is a layer of paper that's coated with a protective topcoat, often a polyurethane coating. This gives it a durable finish and appearance that looks and feels a lot like wood. Obviously, we'd probably all prefer to buy furniture that's made of 100% wood, but if you're on a budget, this cheaper alternative still looks and feels like the real deal. Thanks to the removal of the plastic banding, it's a sustainable upgrade to the existing line. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In addition, Bellino says 'the paper foil used in the products is renewable and sourced from responsibly managed forests.' The Billy line is famously affordable, starting at $69 and available in a range of colors. It's also now easier to assemble, with less plastic as standard. If, like me, you've built a Billy Bookcase before, you might remember having to hammer in a thin back panel. I had to root around in my family's toolbox to find a hammer to do this, because IKEA doesn't include anything to do this with its bookcase. Now, thanks to another change, you can use snap fitting to press the back cover onto your shelf without the need for any tools. Plus, it should make things easier to line up and assemble. This change has already been made to the Billy line, so you can now buy it directly from IKEA in most regions. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Bloomberg
16-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Britain Is Learning an Old Lesson on Nuclear Power
If you've ever had the pleasure of assembling Ikea furniture, then you've learned something about big infrastructure projects. The first Billy bookcase is a nightmare of fumbled screws and baffling instructions. The second goes a little smoother. The third is a breeze. This is effectively what happens with nuclear power plants. But it's taken the UK 70-odd years to take that lesson on board.
Campaign ME
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Al-Futtaim IKEA campaign shows love that stands the test of time
In case you missed it, Al-Futtaim IKEA and Memac Ogilvy shared a heart-warming campaign showcasing how IKEA furniture stands the test of time, proving that love isn't just for people, but also for the furniture that witnesses every chapter of our lives. For Valentine's Day Al-Futtaim IKEA launched a campaign highlighting how furniture from our first affordable apartments to our family homes, are designed to last, offering the same comfort, style, and durability as life's big transitions unfold. The campaign highlights iconic brand products, such as the Billy Bookcase, Bodbyn Drawer Front and Pax Wardrobe, that have been there for customers through single-hood, all the way to starting families. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) Carla Klumpenaar, GM Marketing and Communications, Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman, told Campaign Middle East: 'We wanted to launch a Valentine's Day campaign that resonated with everyone, not just couples. This campaign celebrates the love for the furniture that make a house a home.' 'We hope it reminds people of the special connection they have with their IKEA pieces, and the lasting value they bring to their lives,' Klumpenaar added. Through a series of videos, Instagram carousels and stories, Al-Futtaim IKEA and Memac Ogilvy captured the presence of these items, showing how furniture is built to keep us company and share love through life's milestones. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) Speaking to Campaign Middle East, Anshuman Bhattacharya, Group Creative Director, Memac Ogilvy, said, ''A Lifetime Of Love' is a simple yet powerful way of showcasing how IKEA products are built to last through different life stages.' 'Additionally, this campaign reaffirms the versatility of IKEA products and how they cater to various lifestyles. No matter where life or love takes you, your furniture will last through it,' Bhattacharya added. This Valentine's Day, the campaign celebrates not just the love between people, but the furniture that has been there and supported us through every stage of life. CREDITS: Client: Al-Futtaim IKEA Carla Klumpenaar, GM – Marketing, Communication and Interior Design, IKEA United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Oman Dina Al Sahhar, Regional Marketing Manager, IKEA United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Oman Jay Quadras, Regional Digital Marketing Leader, IKEA United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Oman Mohamed Maihoub, Regional Marketing Specialist, IKEA United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman Houda Sfar, Regional Marketing Specialist, IKEA United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman Agency: Memac Ogilvy Dubai Gautam Wadher – Chief Creative Office Anshuman Bhattacharya – Group Creative Director Jack Mcara – Copywriter Jessieleigh Dudley – Art Director Ahmed Elbeshbishy – Content Creator Karl Hitti – Head of Social Ahmed Nour – Social Director Kevin Kurian – Business Director Yara Maalouf – Senior Social Account Manager Layan Abdo – Senior Social Account Executive Georges Enkiri – Senior Account Manager Nicole Correia – Senior Account Executive Dana Salama – Community Manager Dina ElKharaz – Community Manager Yasser Hamdy – PR Business Director Rawan Mahmoud – PR Account Director Rachel Sparkes – PR Account Manager Haya Khalil –Senior PR Account Executive Farah Talaat – PR Account Executive Shady Fekry – Media Relations Director Rasha Armouti – Media Relations Executive Chantelle Burchett – Influence Account Director Sara Mocattash – Influence Account Executive
