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IKEA Turns the Page: Drops Iconic Catalogue After 70 Years

People queue at Ikea in Gateshead as it re-opens, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gateshead, Britain, June 1, 2020. REUTERS/Lee Smith/File Photo
People queue at Ikea in Gateshead as it re-opens, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gateshead, Britain, June 1, 2020. REUTERS/Lee Smith/File Photo
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IKEA Turns the Page: Drops Iconic Catalogue After 70 Years

People queue at Ikea in Gateshead as it re-opens, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gateshead, Britain, June 1, 2020. REUTERS/Lee Smith/File Photo
People queue at Ikea in Gateshead as it re-opens, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gateshead, Britain, June 1, 2020. REUTERS/Lee Smith/File Photo

Budget furniture giant IKEA has decided to discontinue its catalogue, one of the world’s biggest annual publications, as shoppers move online, it said on Monday.

The 70-year old publication reached a peak in 2016 when more than 200 million copies were distributed to households and IKEA stores in more than 50 markets.

Its very first edition, featuring the MK Wing Chair, totalled 285,000 copies and was distributed in southern Sweden, while the last one, from this year, has an edition of 40 million.

The move is part of IKEA’s push to become more digital as consumers increasingly seek inspiration online, as well as shopping via the web. In the 12 months to end-August, IKEA’s online sales jumped 45%..

“The number of copies has gone down, but we have also seen that people have much more used our website, apps and social media. The catalogue became less and less important,” said Konrad Gruss, Managing Director at franchisor Inter IKEA Systems - a division of brand owner Inter IKEA Group.

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Forum in Riyadh Explores Opportunities to Advance Global Digital Influence Industry

The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
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Forum in Riyadh Explores Opportunities to Advance Global Digital Influence Industry

The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Over 1,500 influencers gathered in Riyadh to explore opportunities for advancing the global digital influence industry during the Impact Makers Forum, which continued into its second and final day.
The event brought together international influencers with a combined audience exceeding one billion followers and featured in-depth discussions and panel sessions about the future of digital influence.
The forum attracted over 30,000 visitors, solidifying its position as a premier platform for sharing expertise and highlighting successful experiences across various fields of influence. It also gave international influencers the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia’s landmarks and flagship projects through specially organized tours during their stay.
Participants emphasized the need to strengthen the private sector’s role in shaping influence both locally and globally. They called for fostering innovation and collaboration to achieve sustainable impact across all domains.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of incorporating social and humanitarian dimensions into influencers’ messaging on social media and other new media platforms. Speakers stressed the significance of supporting community and charitable initiatives, such as providing aid in crises, drawing attention to humanitarian issues, engaging in volunteer activities, and raising awareness about critical national and global concerns.
Eng. Rakan Alfaizi, CEO of One Group, highlighted the growth of Saudi Arabia’s media sector, which he said encourages more collaboration between private and public sectors to create sustainable influence.
Discussions throughout the forum explored innovative ways to balance real-life and virtual spaces, particularly to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive social media engagement on younger and emerging generations.
In a panel discussion titled “Balancing Life and Influence in Social Media,” Adwa AlDakheel emphasized the importance of organizing energy to prioritize quality over quantity in accomplishments, explaining that success stems from passion and dedication to one’s field.
Abdullah Al-Hussein stressed the need to separate work and life, allocate specific time for each, and manage time effectively to maintain balance.
The ImpaQ forum launched on Wednesday in Diriyah, attracting leading global influencers, experts, and content creators. The event, the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia, spanned over 23,000 square meters and provided spaces for innovation, sharing impactful experiences, and creative workshops.