Designist Dream

Hooray for Ikea Israel: The Ikea Israel website is now fully-functioning.

Previously we only had an online catalogue feature availabe. Each page had to be ‘turned’ and the download-waiting time was atrocious. Much like Ikea sites for other countries, the Israel site now includes a lighting guide, seating guide and closet/ storage design feature.

The most important tool to be included - and perhaps the most dangerous to offer - is the all-important ‘check inventory’ option. See, Israel is Ikea-obssessed. So much so that on its opening day in 2001 Ikea welcomed approximately 30,000 shoppers from all over the country. The traffic jam from such excitement wreaked havoc throughout country’s center. In our defense however, Ikea really fills a void in the Israeli furniture and design market. The high taxation for imported furniture or other such ‘luxury’ items for the home demands long-term committment from buyers who cannot afford to change the look of their home easily or purchase something more whimsical. Furthermore, the incredibly generic style and poor make of most Israeli furniture leaves much to be desired. Ikea appeals to the aesthetic Israeli with its color and creativity; the budgeted Israeli with its reasonable prices; and the macho-male with its DIY assembly challenges.

With one Ikea currently in Israel, its soaring popularity means the items you really want have already been snatched up. Sure, Customer service will promise, “it’s on its way next month in the next shipment” but it’s always two more months than they say. And the ‘out of stock’ tag on that Ektorp ottoman stays put. Beware. Check online or call to make sure they have what you’re hunting for. Hopefully the opening of a second Ikea by the end of 2007 in the Southern-Central city of Rishon L’Zion will alleviate some of the traffic at the Northern-Central Netanya branch. And a second storage facility will allow for increased inventory.

The Rishon Ikea further hopes that its on-site synagogue will attract more customers. A clever gimmick. So if they don’t have what you need, at least you can start praying for it.

Now if we can only convince the Israeli branch to adopt the environmentally-friendly practice of charging a nominal fee for their huge plastic bags. More here.