IKEA benefits from early warm spell
IKEA said that the long spell of warm weather sent sales of outdoor furniture soaring over the spring bank holiday weekend as Brits enjoyed a lazy weekend in the sun.
Year-on-year sales of garden furniture rose by over 400% with items such as the ÄPPLARÖ table (+457%), the ÄPPLARÖ folding chair (+438%) and the SAMSÖ parasol (+458%) all selling four times more than on the same bank holiday last year.
Sales of outdoor furniture cushions did even better. IKEA said shoppers bought more than 14 times as many HÅLLÖ outdoor seat cushions (+1458%) and nearly 10 times as many ÄPPLARÖ arm chairs (+989%) compared to last year.
IKEA outdoor furniture manager Jamey Seaman commented: “In years gone by we’d normally have to wait until June or July before seeing outdoor furniture sales figures like these. But the sun came early this year, and so did the people.”