The world is changing and the IKEA business is changing with it. For IKEA though, one thing will always remain the same ─ our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

We will strengthen and develop competences in order to meet the needs and dreams of the many people around the world and to be accessible, wherever and whenever they wish to meet IKEA.

About Inter IKEA Systems and Core Business Franchise
Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the franchisor and the owner of the IKEA Concept, including the IKEA trademarks.

In Core Business Franchise we are responsible for the IKEA strategic framework and keeping it together through an IKEA Concept which is updated, relevant, implemented and followed-up together with all IKEA trademark users.

We enable IKEA people in the value chain by developing new ways of working supported by processes, methods, tools and services, and we also develop the business by leading:

• The development of solutions that will ensure a unique and successful meeting with existing and new IKEA customers.
• When and how IKEA expands, enabling one common way of working with high impact at a low cost.

We offer an open working environment where everyone feels comfortable to experiment, try new ways and dare to ask: “What if…?” And we offer possibilities for you to develop yourself and your career globally. Read more about us at franchisor.IKEA.com

We are now looking for you, two students, who will do your Master's thesis with us at Inter IKEA Systems Service AB from January to June 2021.

IKEA is built on the vision of Creating a better everyday life for the many people.  To bring IKEA closer to the many we are opening city center locations at an accelerated rate. The IKEA concept is based on ‘you do a little, we do a little and together we save’ – which manifests through the customer picking the goods off the shelf and taking it home themselves in their car. This in turns secures our competitive advantage through providing our customers instant gratification. As we enter city centers the way customers travel to our physical locations will shift and become more varied including things like public transport, on foot, bikes. As their transportation changes so does their need for solutions on how to get their goods home.

IKEA needs to ensure that we have low price DIY solutions for our customer to get their purchases home the same day from our city center locations that have limited access by car. There is a need to find cost efficient but still qualitative and sustainable solutions that fit low cost products – meaning lowest cost for product and service combined on the market.

The aim of the Thesis
The aim of the thesis is to scope different models for our customers. These models could range from rental to leasing to equipment to enable the customer to take their goods home themselves at a low cost. 

The focus will be on city center locations in North America, European and Asian cities where you will explore:

• How do customers in these locations travel in city centers?
• What solutions are available today – industry norms
• What solutions are coming – disruptors/new trends

We want to find solutions that are:

• Relevant to our customers
• Low Price/value for money
• DIY (do it yourself) delivery solutions
• Intuitive
• Convenient
• Adding value to the customer experience
• Easy to maintain
• Sustainable (environmental impact)
• Scalable

Project goals are:

• Mapping of how customers travel to shop in city centers based on region
• Mapping of current solutions in targeted cities
• Mapping of emerging trends
• Recommendation on solution(s) to test, including business case
• Plan for the test, including:
  • Recommendation on supplier
  • Recommendation on location (lab or any market)
  • Timeline & resource plan
• Execute the test (subject to availability of time)

At IKEA we value and strive to work with people who are curious, self-motivated and who want to contribute to the IKEA vision. You need to be skilled in research and data analysis.  You should have a passion for innovation, customer centricity, last mile fulfillment and urban mobility.

In order to do you thesis at IKEA you must be enrolled in a master's thesis course provided at university level/Thesis agreement with a university in Sweden.

We offer you 20 weeks of thesis work in the area of Development & Innovation at Inter IKEA Systems Service AB. We offer flexibility in location within Sweden and expect most of the work to take place virtually. During your thesis you will have a dedicated supervisor. The thesis work is unpaid and you are expected to study full-time.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Brooke Lemke, [email protected]. We are looking forward to your application! If you have someone you would like to team up with, please add that person's name in your motivational letter. Please submit both your CV and motivational letter in English by 14 December, 2020. Note that we will continuously review and interview candidates and the master's thesis position may be filled before 14 December 2020.