IKEA Becomes Chinese

SCMP: Ikea at last cracks China market, but success has meant adapting to local ways

On a king-size bed in the middle of the largest showroom, a little boy wakes from a nap next to his (also sleeping) grandmother. When the old woman casually helps the boy urinate into an empty water bottle, dripping liquid liberally on the grey mattress under his feet, most passers-by seem not to mind or even notice. The exception is a young woman who elbows her disinterested boyfriend: "Look, he's peeing into a bottle!"

There is a helpful photo with the article.

The Chinese approach to Ikea has long intrigued expatriates and domestic internet users alike, with bizarre incidents regularly topping the news on social media. Judging from online testimonies, it seems fairly common to leave kids alone to play and nap in the children's showrooms while the parents run other errands. In Shanghai, it was rumoured that a speed-dating club of 50 to 60 members gathered weekly in a store over free coffee provided courtesy of the group leader's Ikea club card.

While the free-riding may not seem like an immediate recipe for profit, Ikea is exceptionally patient about it. "We welcome anyone to visit our stores - today's visitor could very well be tomorrow's customer," says Linda Xu, public relations manager for Ikea China, adding that China is one of the company's most important markets.

Yet it is obvious that Chinese consumers making themselves right at home in the store put a strain on staff. In keeping with Ikea's focus on self-service, the store has relatively few employees on the shop floor, explains Yvonne Yin, a PR spokeswoman at a Shanghai branch.

"The sleeping behaviour does create extra work," Yin admits. Sheets have to changed every other day or so. "We have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it's great that they love Ikea, but you think: why can't they do things like that elsewhere?"

A visit to the IKEA on a weekend is a must see for foreigners looking to experience modern Chinese culture.