![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/history1926-e1632474976107-1024x617-1-887x534.png"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/history1926-e1632474976107-1024x617-1.png"}])
Ingvar is born
Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA and Ikano, first sees the light of day in Älmhult on 30 March, 1926. He grows up in Småland, in the south of Sweden.
The first IKEA company is founded
At the age of 17, Ingvar registers the name of his business, IKEA, combining his own initials (IK) with the first letters of the farm and the parish where he grew up – Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd (EA).
Ingvar started out selling mixed merchandise via mail order and using the local milkman for deliveries, but soon after switched his focus to furniture and revolutionised the industry with flat-packed products that customers had to assemble themselves.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKEA-nyt-1-887x448.jpg"},{"size":937,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKEA-nyt-1.jpg"}])
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/history1956-e1632475805815-1024x617-1-887x534.png"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/history1956-e1632475805815-1024x617-1.png"}])
AB Ikano is founded
AB Ikano is as a purchasing company founded as a part of IKEA.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/First-IKEA-store-887x659.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/First-IKEA-store-1024x760.jpg"},{"size":1460,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/First-IKEA-store.jpg"}])
Hej!
Ingvar Kamprad opens the world’s first IKEA store in Älmhult, Sweden.
![]([{"size":369,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Safe-Forsakringar.png"}])
Expanding the business
To access the consumer insurance market, Ikano establishes Safe International Försäkrings AB which later changes name to Ikano Försäkring.
Financial services are offered to IKEA customers in Norway through the new founded Ikano Finans AS.
.
Next stop Prague
Ikano Real Estate enters Prague to contribute to the rebuilding of the city following the political change and opening up of the country. The business closes in 2008 after a strategic decision to focus on the Nordic countries
![]([{"size":825,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Habitat.jpg"}])
Ikano takes on Habitat
Ikano acquires 25% of the iconic British furniture retailer Habitat and all-remaining shares in 1998. Habitat is later sold to Hilco UK in 2009.
Speeding ahead
Ikano acquires Micro Bildelar AB, a car spare parts retailer. This business is sold in 2000.
![]([{"size":695,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-scaled-e1688390840258-695x887.jpg"},{"size":802,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-scaled-e1688390840258-802x1024.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-scaled-e1688390840258-1024x1308.jpg"},{"size":1203,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-scaled-e1688390840258-1203x1536.jpg"},{"size":1779,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-scaled-e1688390840258.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Financial-services-1920x2753.jpg"}])
Hello UK!
Nottingham becomes the base for the newly established Ikano Financial Services in the UK, providing customer finance and loyalty solutions. It eventually became a branch of its Swedish sister company, Ikano Bank AB.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ikano-Bank_Almhult-office-887x596.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ikano-Bank_Almhult-office-1024x688.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ikano-Bank_Almhult-office-1536x1032.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ikano-Bank_Almhult-office-1920x1290.jpg"},{"size":2560,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ikano-Bank_Almhult-office-scaled.jpg"}])
Start-up bank that dares to challenge
The first Ikano retail bank opens in Älmhult and Ingvar walks in as the first customer.
The new bank is marketed as a down to earth, no-nonsense bank, challenging the position of traditional banks whose reputations were tarnished following the bank crisis in the early 90s.
Setting up shop in Asia
Ikano Retail Asia opens IKEA Alexandra in Singapore, replacing a store in Katong, Singapore.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bank-Germany-887x665.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bank-Germany-1024x768.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bank-Germany-1536x1152.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bank-Germany-1920x1440.jpg"},{"size":2560,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Bank-Germany-scaled.jpg"}])
Banking goes to Germany
Ikano Bank GmbH, Germany is founded as PLUS Finanzservice to manage the customer card business for IKEA’s largest market.
![]([{"size":846,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano-Fund-Management.jpg"}])
Funds for the many
Ikano Fund Management is established in Luxembourg with the aim to offer attractive consumer fund products.
Venture into Portuguese Real Estate
Attracted by market developments in Lisbon, Ikano Properties sets up shop in Portugal. The business sells its portfolio in 2005.
![]([{"size":380,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Den-Kobenhavnske-Bank.jpg"}])
Sold!
Danish Københavnske Bank is sold reflecting a more focused future direction for Ikano.
Going live on the worldwide web
Our Group website www.ikanogroup.com sees the light of day and is later rebranded using .ikano, Ikano’s top domain to signal a clear and strong brand direction for the Group.
![]([{"size":709,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Birger-Lund.jpg"}])
Birger Lund becomes new CEO
Ingemar Gustafsson retires and passes the CEO torch on to Birger Lund. The same year, Ikano’s head office is relocated to Luxembourg, where it remains today.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKANO-House-001-887x665.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKANO-House-001-1024x768.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKANO-House-001-1536x1152.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKANO-House-001-1920x1440.jpg"},{"size":2560,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKANO-House-001-scaled.jpg"}])
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/FY22-Damansara_Outdoor-Group-Photo-6-887x592.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/FY22-Damansara_Outdoor-Group-Photo-6-1024x684.jpg"},{"size":1200,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/FY22-Damansara_Outdoor-Group-Photo-6.jpg"}])
Hej IKEA Damansara!
After successful pilot testing in Malaysia, Ikano opens IKEA Damansara in Kuala Lumpur. To this day, it’s one of the most visited IKEA stores in the world.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_Russia_RGB-2-887x328.png"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_Russia_RGB-2-1024x378.png"},{"size":1177,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_Russia_RGB-2.png"}])
Entering the Russian market
Ikano enters the Russian market to handle consumer financing for IKEA and IKEA-owned shopping centres. We left Russia in the beginning of 2023.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tampines-041-scaled-e1687953610410-887x494.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tampines-041-scaled-e1687953610410-1024x570.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tampines-041-scaled-e1687953610410-1536x855.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tampines-041-scaled-e1687953610410-1920x1069.jpg"},{"size":2483,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Tampines-041-scaled-e1687953610410.jpg"}])
Hej IKEA Tampines!
Ikano Retail opens IKEA Tampines, its second store in Singapore.
A new country and line of business
Ikano established Dendro Poland, an integrated foam and mattress factory in Poland.
![]([{"size":503,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Dendro-Poland.png"}])
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_RGB_Red-887x517.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_RGB_Red-1024x597.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_RGB_Red-1536x895.jpg"},{"size":1581,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Bank_RGB_Red.jpg"}])
Banking goes to Poland
Ikano Bank Germany recognises a large market potential in Poland and opens a branch office in Warsaw.
Growing our retail destinations
Ikano Retail opens the Mega Bangna Shopping centre adjacent to the IKEA Bangkok store.
Ikano opens Erikslund shopping centre in Västerås, which was voted the most popular shopping centre in Sweden, three years in a row.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IkanoBank.se2011-e1687959672933-887x510.png"},{"size":940,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IkanoBank.se2011-e1687959672933.png"}])
Recognition!
www.ikanobank.se nominated best banking site in Sweden by IDG (International Data Group Inc.).
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-new-Nordic-Customer-center-3-887x665.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-new-Nordic-Customer-center-3-1024x768.jpg"},{"size":1280,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-new-Nordic-Customer-center-3.jpg"}])
Call centre for the Nordics
Ikano Bank establishes a new Nordic Customer Centre hosting all four Nordic operation teams out of Hyllie, Sweden.
The future home is here
Ikano Bostad sells the first flexible home apartments, the result of the BoLabb innovation programme that investigates future homes and how to meet the growing urbanisation.
New beginnings with nursing homes
Ikano Bostad starts the new project with nursing homes and acquires the three first estates.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image-887x887.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image-1024x1024.jpg"},{"size":1536,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image-1536x1536.jpg"},{"size":1920,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image-1920x1919.jpg"},{"size":2362,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image.jpg"}])
In loving memory
On 27 January 2018, our founder Ingvar Kamprad passes away at the age of 91, forever to be remembered as one of the greatest entrepreneurs of the 20th century.
Continuing the legacy
It’s our birthday! Month-long festivities kick off as Ikano Group celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Ikano Retail opens IKEA Bang Yai, its third store in Thailand.
Quant Marketing becomes a part of Ikano Group, serving IKEA with customer data and loyalty solutions. The company rebrands under Ikano Insight.
Ikano AB agrees to sells back its 25% share in the Swedish sports retail chain Stadium AB to the founders Ulf and Bo Eklöf. The sale took place in 2019.
![]([{"size":887,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKEA-Bang-Yai-opening-1-1-887x591.jpg"},{"size":1024,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKEA-Bang-Yai-opening-1-1-1024x682.jpg"},{"size":1200,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IKEA-Bang-Yai-opening-1-1.jpg"}])
![]([{"size":739,"url":"https:\/\/group.ikano\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ikano_Insight.png"}])