IKEA is a global powerhouse in affordable, stylish furniture and home decor. With over 460 stores across 63 countries, the Swedish retailer has become a go-to destination for shoppers looking to furnish their living spaces on a budget. In fiscal year 2021, IKEA generated retail sales of 41.9 billion euros globally, making it the world‘s largest furniture retailer by revenue (IKEA Facts & Figures 2022).
But before you make the trek to your nearest big blue warehouse, you may be wondering: do I need an IKEA membership to shop there?
No Membership Required
The short answer is no. Unlike membership-based wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam‘s Club, which require you to pay an annual fee and show a member card for access, IKEA is open to everyone. You do not need any special membership or subscription to:
- Browse the showroom
- Make purchases (in-store or online)
- Access services like delivery, assembly, or task rabbit
According to the company‘s FAQ page, "IKEA is open to everyone. You don‘t need to be a member to browse or shop in our stores or online." This inclusive approach reflects IKEA‘s vision "to create a better everyday life for the many people."
IKEA‘s open-access policy sets it apart from most of its big-box competitors. As retail analyst Neil Saunders of GlobalData told CNBC, "IKEA has a different model—it‘s about volume. They want to get as many people through the door as possible." By removing barriers to entry like membership fees, IKEA can attract a wider range of shoppers and drive more foot traffic.
The IKEA Family Loyalty Program
While an IKEA membership is not mandatory, the retailer does offer a free loyalty program called IKEA Family. Launched in 1984, this popular rewards program now boasts over 170 million members across 30 countries (IKEA Family).
Similar to loyalty schemes at other major retailers, IKEA Family aims to encourage repeat visits and higher spending by offering members exclusive benefits. "We want to reward our most loyal customers with special prices, events, and services," says Tanja Schäfer, Head of IKEA Family Global (IKEA Today 2022).
How to Join IKEA Family
Signing up for IKEA Family is quick, easy, and completely free. There are two ways to join:
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Online: Visit the IKEA Family Sign Up Page and fill out the short registration form. You‘ll need to provide your email address, name, birthday, and country. If you don‘t already have an IKEA account, you‘ll create one as part of the process.
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In-Store: Look for the IKEA Family kiosk near the entrance of any IKEA store. Use the digital touchscreen to enter your information and complete registration. You can also ask an employee for assistance.
Once you submit your registration, you‘ll get instant digital access to IKEA Family perks via your online account or the IKEA app. You can use your phone number or email to identify yourself as a member at checkout.
Within 4-6 weeks, you‘ll also receive a physical IKEA Family card in the mail. This card can be scanned in-store to unlock your benefits. If you happen to lose your card, just contact IKEA customer service for a free replacement.
It‘s important to note that IKEA Family is country-specific. Your membership will only work in the country where you signed up. So for example, if you join in the US but then shop at an IKEA in Canada, your benefits won‘t carry over unless you register separately for the Canadian program.
IKEA Family Benefits
So what exactly do you get for becoming an IKEA Family member? While exact perks vary by location, here are some of the most significant benefits:
1. Member-Only Discounts
IKEA Family members get access to exclusive lower prices on select items, both in-store and online. These offers are prominently marked with red "IKEA FAMILY" tags throughout the showroom and website.
The specific products and discount amounts rotate regularly. Markdowns are typically in the 10-20% range, but some can be significantly higher during special promotions. For example, during a recent "Member Days" event, IKEA Family prices were up to 50% off across core categories like sofas, mattresses, and storage.
To locate current deals, members can browse the "Offers" section of the IKEA Family portal. You can also filter for IKEA Family prices directly on product pages:
2. Free Coffee/Tea
One of the most popular IKEA Family perks is a daily free cup of coffee or tea from the IKEA Restaurant. Just show your membership card or app to the cashier. There‘s no purchase necessary to claim this freebie.
At some international locations, the deal is even better. For instance, IKEA Family members in the UK can enjoy a free hot drink AND breakfast every day Monday to Friday (IKEA UK).
3. Exclusive Events & Workshops
Many IKEA stores regularly host free members-only events to provide inspiration and hands-on education. Examples include:
- Cooking classes focused on easy, affordable recipes
- Home organization workshops with pro decluttering tips
- Kids crafts and activities
- Sneak peek shopping events for new product launches
Select markets also offer special "IKEA Family Shop Nights." On these after-hours occasions, the store closes to the public so members can enjoy perks like free consultations with IKEA designers, games and giveaways, and refreshments while they browse.
During the pandemic, IKEA pivoted many of these experiences to virtual formats, like Zoom cooking demos and Facebook Live tours of new collections. You can find a full calendar of upcoming events on the IKEA Family site for your country.
4. 90-Day Price Protection
If you purchase an item at full price and then it goes on sale within 90 days, IKEA Family members can get a refund for the price difference. Just bring your receipt to the returns desk and they‘ll credit you the difference.
This price adjustment policy adds peace of mind and flexibility to your IKEA shopping. No more worrying about buyer‘s remorse if you miss a promotion.
5. "Oops-Assurance" Coverage
We‘ve all been there—you get home from IKEA, start assembling your new bookcase, and accidentally crack part of the backing board. To ease some of that DIY stress, IKEA Family offers "oops-assurance."
This perk entitles you to a free replacement for any IKEA product you damage yourself within 90 days of purchase, either during transport or assembly. No need to navigate the maze of spare parts!
Just bring your damaged item, receipt, and Family card to the returns counter for a free swap, no questions asked. Some exclusions apply (e.g., clearance items, as-is pieces, and custom goods are not eligible).
6. Receipt-Free Returns
Thanks to their Family membership, Laure Dunne never has to dig for paper receipts when she brings back IKEA items months later:
"With 4 kids, my house is an ever-evolving puzzle of hand-me-down IKEA furniture. The stuff I don‘t need anymore, I love that I can always return it without having to keep track of the receipts. They can look up all my purchases in their system as long as I have my Family card." (Phone interview, April 2023)
Other loyalty program perks include:
- Free 2-month trial of TaskRabbit assembly services ($169 value)
- Monthly sweepstakes for gift cards, design consultations, and dream room makeovers
- Automatic entry into occasional local events, like Christmas tree giveaways
- Charitable donation vote (IKEA will donate $1 million total to member-selected causes)
- Digital receipts and purchase history tracking in your online account
The Omnichannel Membership Approach
The multi-faceted IKEA Family program reflects a broader retail trend toward seamless omnichannel loyalty. Instead of thinking about in-store versus online engagement, modern retailers focus on creating a unified experience across every touchpoint.
As Salesforce found in its "State of the Connected Customer" survey, 76% of consumers expect consistent interactions with brands across departments and 69% expect Amazon-like "connected experiences." Programs like IKEA Family deliver on those expectations by tying together a shopper‘s online account, app activity, and in-store behavior into a 360 profile. This holistic view enables IKEA to personalize offers and analyze member data to optimize the program.
"The IKEA Family ecosystem is a prime example of loyalty‘s evolution from transactional to experiential to emotional," explains Carlos Dunlap-Beard, VP of Loyalty Solutions at Clarus Commerce. "It‘s not just a discount card. It‘s a way for members to feel acknowledged, get inspired, enjoy conveniences, and even co-create with the brand they love."
More Tips to Save at IKEA
Beyond the Family program, here are some expert hacks I‘ve learned for stretching your budget at IKEA even further:
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Check the As-Is Section: Look for the big red "As-Is" signs near the registers or ask an associate. This section stocks returned and display merchandise for steep markdowns, often 20-50% off. You may sacrifice a pristine box, but the actual furniture is almost always in excellent condition.
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Go On a Weekday: Avoid peak crowds and picked-over inventory by shopping Monday through Friday instead of on busy weekends. Not only will you have a more relaxed experience, but you‘ll get better selection, especially for items that tend to sell out.
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Take Advantage of Bundles: Many of IKEA‘s "room sets" include multiple coordinating pieces for less than the cost of buying each one individually. These package deals don‘t get much fanfare, but they offer some of the lowest per-item prices. Look for signs like "Buy the Room" or "Take it Home Today."
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Don‘t Skip the Moving Coupon: If you‘ve just moved, bring proof of address change to the IKEA Svängsta Access Point desk for $25 off any purchase of $250+. Acceptable documents include a lease agreement, mortgage statement, utility bill, or change of address form.
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Get Rewarded for Your Feedback: Every month, IKEA Family‘s "Voice Community" raffles off $100 gift cards to a few lucky members who participate in quick online product surveys and opinion polls. The more you contribute, the more chances you earn.
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Eat for Free on Your Birthday: Stop by the IKEA restaurant within 2 weeks before or after your birthday and flash your ID to get a free entrée (up to $15). If you‘re extra frugal, go on your actual B-day to stack this with the everyday free coffee/tea perk for IKEA Family!
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Download the Apps: Yes, there are two: the main IKEA Store app for product browsing and assembly guides, plus the separate IKEA Family app to track all your member benefits. Using both apps streamlines your experience and ensures you never miss a perk.
Conclusion
So in summary, while you don‘t need a membership to access the full range of IKEA‘s products and services, signing up for the free IKEA Family loyalty program is still a smart move for any regular shopper. Members enjoy meaningful benefits like exclusive discounts, event invites, and stress-reducing policies, all at no cost.
Stacked with seasonal sales, promotional bundles, and insider savings hacks, an IKEA Family membership can add up to hundreds of dollars in value for furnishing your home. Even if you‘re not a frequent IKEA visitor, it‘s still worth the two minutes to enroll, just in case. You never know when that next nesting instinct will strike!
