IKEA

IKEA is a masterclass in balancing global expansion with affordability and customer experience. Its flat-pack innovation and vertically integrated supply chain are more than just clever logistics — they’re central to making good design accessible to people everywhere. The company’s ability to scale globally while tailoring stores to local markets shows how strategy and culture can work hand in hand.

Personally, of course, I love IKEA — I could lose an entire afternoon wandering the aisles (and yes, the plant-based meatballs are that good). Looking at the brand through a strategic lens was eye-opening: from how service add-ons like delivery and assembly build loyalty, to how omnichannel growth (74% in-store vs. 23% online) shapes where they invest. What stood out most is how culture and trust act as a competitive moat. For me, the big takeaway was clear: growth lasts when strategy, operations, and brand values all move together — and IKEA shows that efficiency and imagination can live side by side.