Who Owns IKEA

IKEA is owned by two separate foundations based in the Netherlands. The Stichting Ingka Foundation owns Ingka Group, which operates the majority of IKEA stores worldwide, while the Inter IKEA Foundation owns Inter IKEA Group, which controls the IKEA brand, intellectual property, and franchising operations.

The Swedish furniture giant has revolutionized affordable home furnishing since its founding in 1943. Today, IKEA remains the world’s largest furniture retailer, operating through a complex ownership structure designed to ensure independence and long-term sustainability. The company continues expanding its global footprint while investing heavily in sustainability initiatives, with plans to become fully circular and climate-positive by 2030. IKEA’s innovative flat-pack furniture concept and democratic design approach have made modern home furnishing accessible to millions worldwide. While e-commerce giants like Amazon have entered the furniture market, IKEA maintains its position through experiential retail and cost leadership.

Who Owns IKEA?

IKEA operates under a distinctive dual-foundation ownership model that separates retail operations from brand management. This structure was intentionally designed by founder Ingvar Kamprad to secure the company’s independence and longevity for generations to come.

The Foundation Structure

The Stichting Ingka Foundation, established in the Netherlands, serves as the ultimate owner of Ingka Holding, which controls Ingka Group. Ingka Group functions as the largest IKEA franchisee, operating over 400 IKEA stores across 31 countries. This foundation reinvests profits back into business operations or charitable initiatives rather than distributing dividends to private owners.

The Inter IKEA Foundation owns Inter IKEA Holding, which manages the IKEA brand, intellectual property, product design, and supply chain. This foundation was separated from Interogo Foundation in 2023 to focus specifically on governing the IKEA business. Inter IKEA Systems operates as the franchisor, collecting a three percent franchise fee from all IKEA stores worldwide, including those operated by Ingka Group.

Largest Shareholders of IKEA

Stichting Ingka Foundation

The Stichting Ingka Foundation represents the primary ownership entity for IKEA’s retail operations. Based in Leiden, Netherlands, this charitable foundation was established by Ingvar Kamprad in 1982 to maintain control over most IKEA stores while ensuring the company’s mission remained intact. The foundation’s structure mandates that 85 percent of Ingka Group’s net profits must be reinvested into operations, with the remaining 15 percent paid as dividends to Stichting IKEA Foundation for charitable purposes. This approach contrasts with Swedish holding companies like Investor AB, which manages investments for shareholder returns.

This foundation differs significantly from traditional corporate shareholders who seek financial returns. Instead, it functions as a steward of the IKEA vision, prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term profits. The foundation’s bylaws prevent shares from being sold except to another foundation with identical objectives, effectively making IKEA immune to hostile takeovers or pressure from profit-driven investors. This structure provides stability that publicly traded furniture retailers like Steinhoff International do not enjoy.

Inter IKEA Foundation

Inter IKEA Foundation became the ultimate owner of Inter IKEA Holding following a demerger from Interogo Foundation on August 31, 2023. This enterprise foundation focuses exclusively on governing the IKEA business, securing the independence and longevity of the IKEA Concept. Inter IKEA Foundation oversees Inter IKEA Systems, which owns all IKEA trademarks, logos, and intellectual property rights globally.

The foundation collects substantial revenue through franchise fees paid by all IKEA stores worldwide. This income stream funds continued product development, design innovation, and supply chain optimization. By separating brand ownership from retail operations, the foundation structure creates checks and balances that prevent any single entity from having complete control over IKEA’s future direction.

The Kamprad Family Influence

While Ingvar Kamprad passed away in January 2018, his three sons maintain significant influence within IKEA’s governance structure. Mathias Kamprad serves on the board of Inter IKEA Group and Interogo Foundation, working alongside his brothers Peter and Jonas on strategic direction and long-term planning. However, following a 2013 decision by their father, the Kamprad family no longer holds majority control in the advisory councils that govern the foundations. This ensures that family interests cannot override the foundations’ charitable missions or the company’s core values established by Ingvar Kamprad decades ago.

History of IKEA Co-founders

Ingvar Kamprad’s Early Years

Ingvar Feodor Kamprad founded IKEA on July 28, 1943, at just 17 years old in Älmhult, Sweden. The company name represents an acronym combining his initials with Elmtaryd, the family farm where he grew up, and Agunnaryd, the nearby village. Kamprad’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he began selling matches to neighbors as a young boy. His father rewarded his academic success with money that Kamprad used to establish his first business venture.

Growing up in Småland, a region known for resourcefulness and frugality due to its stony soil and harsh conditions, Kamprad developed the values that would define IKEA’s business philosophy. These principles of making the most with limited resources became the foundation for IKEA’s commitment to affordability and efficiency. Initially, Kamprad operated IKEA as a mail-order business, selling pens, watches, picture frames, and nylon stockings. The company didn’t begin selling furniture until 1948, five years after its founding.

Revolutionary Business Innovations

Kamprad’s breakthrough came in 1956 when he introduced flat-pack furniture designed for customer self-assembly. This innovation dramatically reduced shipping and storage costs, allowing IKEA to offer lower prices than competitors. When Swedish suppliers boycotted IKEA due to pressure from threatened competitors, Kamprad responded by designing IKEA’s own products and contracting with foreign manufacturers. This challenge transformed into an advantage, giving IKEA unprecedented control over design and production quality. The company’s vertical integration approach shares similarities with strategies employed by SKF Group in manufacturing.

The founder opened IKEA’s first showroom in Älmhult in 1953, creating the immersive shopping experience that remains central to IKEA’s concept today. Kamprad personally remained involved in the company for decades, known for his frugal lifestyle despite his wealth. He drove an aging Volvo, flew economy class, and encouraged employees to view resource waste as unacceptable. His leadership philosophy emphasized values-based decision-making and long-term thinking over short-term gains, principles that continue guiding IKEA’s operations today. Although similar to The Home Depot in revolutionizing retail, IKEA focused specifically on affordable furniture rather than broader home improvement.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for IKEA?

Ingka Group Leadership

Jesper Brodin has served as CEO and President of Ingka Group since September 2017, following more than 30 years with IKEA. His career began in 1995 as a Purchase Manager in Pakistan, and he later served as assistant to founder Ingvar Kamprad. Brodin is known for values-based leadership and his commitment to sustainability, serving as co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and chair of The B Team. However, Brodin announced in August 2025 that he will step down in November 2025, handing leadership to Deputy CEO Juvencio Maeztu.

Juvencio Maeztu brings 25 years of IKEA experience to the CEO role, having started as a Store Manager in Madrid. His extensive background across various IKEA operations positions him to continue the company’s sustainability commitments and omnichannel retail transformation. Maeztu has served as Deputy CEO for more than seven years, providing continuity in strategic direction during the leadership transition.

Inter IKEA Group Management

Jon Abrahamsson Ring has led Inter IKEA Group as CEO since 2020, building on two decades of experience within the organization. He previously led the IKEA Franchisor from 2018 and has been instrumental in managing relationships with franchisees worldwide. However, Ring announced he will step down on January 1, 2026, passing leadership to Jakub Jankowski, currently Managing Director for IKEA Industry. This transition reflects IKEA’s commitment to promoting experienced leaders from within the organization.

The Inter IKEA Holding Supervisory Board includes several prominent members who provide governance oversight. Torbjörn Lööf joined the board in August 2025, bringing over 30 years of IKEA experience including previous service as CEO of Inter IKEA Group from 2016 to 2020. Anders Dahlvig serves as Chairman, leveraging his extensive retail experience. Véronique Laury, former Group CEO of Kingfisher, and John Olie, with three decades of IKEA store management experience, also serve on the board.

Operational Leadership Teams

Lena Julle serves as Chief Sustainability Officer for Inter IKEA Group since June 2025, overseeing the company’s environmental initiatives and circular economy programs. Karen Pflug holds the parallel role at Ingka Group, leading sustainability strategy and implementation. Both executives work to achieve IKEA’s ambitious goal of becoming fully circular and climate-positive by 2030.

The operational structure separates clearly between Ingka Group’s retail management and Inter IKEA Group’s brand and supply responsibilities. This division allows specialized expertise to develop in each domain while maintaining alignment on overall strategic direction. Unlike traditional retailers such as Nordstrom, which maintains centralized control, IKEA’s distributed governance model creates accountability at multiple levels. Regional managers operate with significant autonomy while adhering to global standards set by Inter IKEA Systems. This balance between centralization and decentralization has proven essential to IKEA’s success across diverse international markets, contrasting with approaches used by large wholesale operations like Metro Group.

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