IKEA to sell consumer electronics in Europe

From DIY to DVR, IKEA have announced that they are to begin selling consumer electronics in their European stores.

The Swedish brand will be selling TVs, wireless sound systems and Blu-ray CD/DVD players alongside their flat-pack furniture kits from June, working with China-based TCL Multimedia on the venture.

“This is a large step for us. We will have an offer that is unique in the market,” IKEA’s living room chief Magnus Bondesson said in an interview with Reuters.

“We are launching a new concept where you in one place can buy your furniture and your electronics — designed for and matched with each other from start.”

The plan is for IKEA to sell combination units, housing both storage space and the dedicated spaces for the electronics equipment, hiding clutter and cabling out of sight. As a guide price, IKEA have suggested 6,500 Swedish crowns (£600) for a combination bench unit, TV and speaker system.

With five European cities lined up for the launch initially, IKEA have expressed no plans as yet to expand the venture into the US.