IKEA stores will soon be operating with a new warehouse management system designed to improve the omnichannel experience.
Ingka Group, which owns and operates IKEA stores in 31 countries, has acquired Made4net, a provider of supply chain software solutions, Ingka Group said in a Wednesday (May 31) press release.
“We are constantly looking to improve our business to better meet the needs of our customers,” Ingka Group Chief Digital Officer Wim Blaauw said in the release. “As part of that, we are implementing a variety of digital solutions that will secure the speed and agility required to support the new omnichannel reality we operate in.”
Ingka Group will gain a scalable solution that provides more accurate data for its fulfillment operations. Made4net, under the new ownership, will operate as an independent subsidiary and will continue to serve its existing customer base, according to the press release.
Made4net’s SCExpert platform will be deployed across 482 IKEA locations — including fulfillment centers and stores — in 31 countries, Made4net said in a Wednesday press release.
The platform provides real-time inventory visibility, labor management and equipment productivity, according to the release.
“The Made4net platform has had a long customer track record for fast implementation and the ability to pivot quickly with changing business and market dynamics,” Made4net CEO Duff Davidson said in the release. “We’re excited to expand those capabilities for all of our customers through the increased backing of Ingka and also look forward to transforming the future of unified commerce by helping IKEA’s global retail network deliver on its omnichannel fulfillment vision.”
This acquisition comes about six weeks after IKEA said it is expanding its omnichannel capabilities with its biggest investment in four decades in the U.S.
The $2.2 billion investment over the next three years will add new locations, strengthen its fulfillment network and expand its product line, the company said April 20.
The home furnishings retailer is making these moves after a year in which its business model was tested. The Swedish company reported in October 2022 that while retail sales had increased, inflation had driven up prices, while supply chain hiccups made it harder to get merchandise into stores.