Post by Aparajita Chatterjee

One of the first things I learned in the US was how to assemble furniture, a skill that comes in handy if you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on an already expensive item. And over the years, as furniture prices have risen, the cost of tricky installation can be a deal-breaker. IKEA made its name on affordable pricing and easy installation, but the ongoing global crisis and tariffs have changed the furniture retail landscape significantly. And so, for a change, not because of AI but in keeping with its promise of affordability, IKEA's franchisor (Inter IKEA Group) is also considering restructuring. More than the cuts, this is an example of how retail is changing, from closing stores to job cuts. I covered it all here.