IKEA Launches Dedicated Smart Home Division
IKEA establishes a new Home Smart business unit to focus entirely on connected home technology. The division aims to digitize the company's entire product lineup.
IKEA establishes a new Home Smart business unit that focuses entirely on connected home technology. This new division represents the company's largest addition since it created the Children's IKEA line, according to executive Peter van der Poel. The move formalizes IKEA's commitment to smart home products beyond its existing Sonos-powered speakers and connected lighting.
The retailer has explored connected home technology since 2012, but this dedicated division allows it to fully grasp the potential of the market. The Home Smart team works with all other departments to digitize the broader IKEA catalog. This strategy builds on earlier hints from the company that its Home Smart app serves as the central hub for a growing ecosystem.
IKEA holds a unique advantage in the smart home industry because it designs both the technology and the furniture that houses it. This dual capability allows the company to create harmonious combinations that competitors simply cannot match. By integrating smart tech directly into its furnishings, IKEA positions itself as a major long-term player in the connected home space.