Free Republic

Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad has died, the company has confirmed. The 91-year-old billionaire died on Saturday at his mansion in Smaland, Sweden. Multinational Ikea, which has 412 stores across 49 countries, has long been the world's largest furniture retailer.

It seems like Ikea stores are everywhere. They are the Starbucks of furniture. They offer us not only low priced cabinets chairs and other household goods,but an opportunity to impress our friends with our ability to construct these pieces using the directions supplied by Ikea. Getting through an afternoon’s Ikea project in one continuous motion is kind of like being able to do the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen – an achievement to be sure. That’s the warm and fuzzy side of the furniture giant. That’s the part they want us to see. “Think Ikea and think The...

Despite their billions, Sweden’s wealthiest individuals have shown that not even they can withstand the effects of the financial crisis coupled with a dismal year on the stock market. A recent ranking by the Veckans Affärer business magazine reveals that the number of Swedish billionaires has been cut by nearly 30 percent in the last year, leaving only 98 individuals who are rich enough to measure their wealth in ten figures. Collective losses for the richest of Sweden’s rich amount to a staggering 200 billion kronor ($24.7 billion), a roughly 20 percent drop. But not to worry, those who top...

Swedish furniture maker Ikea celebrated the opening of its first factory in the United States on Wednesday. Swedwood, a subsidiary of home furnishings giant, has 40 plants worldwide. The $281 million plant in Danville, Virginia will employ 300 people by the end of 2009, said Swedwood North America president Bengt Danielsson. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine was at Wednesday's ceremony to hail the economic boost to the ailing region along the North Carolina border, formerly a stronghold for the tobacco industry. Swedwood received $12 million in incentives from in state and local authorities, as well as the Virginia Tobacco Commission...