Ikea is increasingly becoming a daycare center with for old age pensioners, low earners and even young moms.
With meals that can be as low as $1, the furniture-subsidized-food is becoming a go-to dining destination for cost-conscious eaters.
As Spiegel notes, "Indeed, the stigma of poverty is hidden behind the company's cheap and cheerful designs. What started out as an extra service to improve customer loyalty, has developed a life of its own, separate from the shaky wooden furniture and fold-out sofas."
Cheep Food and Daycare Makes Ikea The New Social Services
Cheep Food And Daycare Makes Ikea The New Social Services
Trend Themes
1. Affordable Dining - The trend of offering low-cost meals at retail locations provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to attract cost-conscious eaters.
2. Social Services Integration - The integration of social services, such as daycare for different demographics, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to provide additional value and build customer loyalty.
3. Hidden Poverty - The trend of using affordable products and services to hide the stigma of poverty offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to address social issues while meeting customer needs.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The retail industry can capitalize on the trend of offering affordable dining options by incorporating low-cost meals to attract customers and enhance the overall shopping experience.
2. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can explore the trend of integrating social services like daycare to provide additional value for guests and differentiate themselves from competitors.
3. Social Services - The social services industry can leverage the trend of hidden poverty and collaborate with businesses to provide support and services to vulnerable populations, strengthening the social fabric.