Ikea launches business unit devoted to smart home tech
Ikea announced that it will place a bigger emphasis on smart home products.
The home furnishings retailer initiated its Ikea Home Smart strategy in 2012 with the ambition of incorporating digital elements and technology into its products and home solutions.
Now the company is establishing Ikea Home Smart as its own business unit with Ikea of Sweden. The business unit will be responsible for the smart home business “end to end,” Ikea said.
“At Ikea we want to continue to offer products for a better life at home for the many people going forward. In order to do so we need to explore products and solutions beyond conventional home furnishing,” says Björn Block, head of the new Ikea Home Smart business unit.
Prior smart home product launches have included wireless charging devices, smart lighting, and a sound and speaker product partnership with Sonos. The company also launched a smart lighting app that was eventually renamed as the Ikea Home Smart app.
“We have decided to invest significantly in Home Smart across Ikea to fast-forward the development. This is the biggest new business we are establishing since the introduction of Children’s Ikea,” says Peter van der Poel, manager of Ikea Range & Supply.
Ikea said it has established “great relationships” with major digital companies and has become a recognized player in the space of smart homes and innovation
“By working together with all other departments within Ikea, the business unit of Ikea Home smart will drive the digital transformation of the IKEA range, improving and transforming existing businesses and developing new businesses to bring more diverse smart products to the many people. We are just getting started,” Block said.
The home furnishings retailer initiated its Ikea Home Smart strategy in 2012 with the ambition of incorporating digital elements and technology into its products and home solutions.
Now the company is establishing Ikea Home Smart as its own business unit with Ikea of Sweden. The business unit will be responsible for the smart home business “end to end,” Ikea said.
“At Ikea we want to continue to offer products for a better life at home for the many people going forward. In order to do so we need to explore products and solutions beyond conventional home furnishing,” says Björn Block, head of the new Ikea Home Smart business unit.
Prior smart home product launches have included wireless charging devices, smart lighting, and a sound and speaker product partnership with Sonos. The company also launched a smart lighting app that was eventually renamed as the Ikea Home Smart app.
“We have decided to invest significantly in Home Smart across Ikea to fast-forward the development. This is the biggest new business we are establishing since the introduction of Children’s Ikea,” says Peter van der Poel, manager of Ikea Range & Supply.
Ikea said it has established “great relationships” with major digital companies and has become a recognized player in the space of smart homes and innovation
“By working together with all other departments within Ikea, the business unit of Ikea Home smart will drive the digital transformation of the IKEA range, improving and transforming existing businesses and developing new businesses to bring more diverse smart products to the many people. We are just getting started,” Block said.