Ikea pushed a catalogue through our letter box this weekend and flicking through it we’ve spotted some furniture we’d like, nothing special just a desk and some drawers, I made a note and then set about finding out how I order online. Turns out that I can’t order online, or even over the phone. Why Ikea is passing up on the opportunity to sell over the Internet I just don’t know, but it means I will not be buying from them as I’m not going to go to their shop.
So why won’t I visit their shop? For a start it’s a little over an hours drive away and once there I know it’ll be a struggle to park. Once I do manage to park I’ll be forced (by their layout) to walk around most of the shop to actually get to the warehouse section where what I want will be (assuming it’s not out of stock - yes I know I can check online but it only gives a yes or no answer and no option to reserve it, if they at least told me there were 20 in stock I’d feel confident the trip was worthwhile). Browsing their shop would not be so bad if it wasn’t for the fact that most of the locals seem to treat it as an indoor playground for their kids so you’re continually fighting your way through the crowds.
Assuming I do manage to find and buy what I want I’ve then got to get it to my car, or abandon it by a loading bay, go get the car and drive it back to the bay, hoping that no one else has taken the bay, or my shopping in the meantime. As what I want to buy will require putting the back seat down there won’t be room for the baby and hence I’d have to shop alone leaving my wife at home to look after him, so she wouldn’t be available to guard the bay and shopping.
So here’s two business opportunities, firstly if you sell a desk like this one (the top, not the legs) and can deliver to Westbury, Wiltshire the contact me and let me know how to buy it. Secondly if you’ve got a van and some time on your hands perhaps you could offer a service that takes online/phone orders for products from Ikea (or similar shops) and will then go buy, collect and deliver them. On top of your collect and delivery charge I suspect there is plenty of opportunity to charge people for the assembly of their flat pack furniture once you’ve delivered it.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
There are a couple of companies in London that offer the delivery and build option. I remember seeing some leaflets under windscreens last time I visited Ikea in Wembley.
I’ve often wondered why they don’t offer an online service. I’m liking your idea about taking orders, though….
Much as I love living in the countryside sometimes London does seem to have the odd advantage.