Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile9 entries
2021
IKEA apologizes and revises Juneteenth menu
Company response
IKEA became the subject of controversy after a Juneteenth menu at one of its stores drew backlash. Following the criticism, the store manager apologized and the menu was revised. IKEA stated that it would work to commemorate the holiday more thoughtfully in the future. The incident centered on the food offerings associated with the Juneteenth observance and the company's response to the reaction they prompted.
After backlash over the Juneteenth menu, the store manager apologized and the menu was revised. IKEA said it would work to commemorate the holiday more thoughtfully in the future.
Stated objective. Thoughtfully honor Juneteenth in the future
Company response
Apology — Ikea
Following backlash, the store manager issued an apology and revised the menu.
Remediation — Ikea
Following backlash, the store manager issued an apology and revised the menu.
Source excerpt
The manager of an Atlanta IKEA store is apologizing after receiving backlash from Black employees over its Juneteenth menu.
A group of employees spoke anonymously to the outlet, accusing the store of being racially insensitive and ignorant.
Following backlash, the store manager issued an apology and revised the menu.
2021
French court rules against Ikea France over spying campaign
Ruling
A French court convicted Ikea France of habitually receiving personal data obtained through fraudulent means and ordered it to pay €1 million in fines and about €100,000 in damages. The court found that the subsidiary used espionage between 2009 and 2012 to examine employees and customers. Trade unions had alleged that Ikea France obtained personal data fraudulently, including through illegally obtained police files.
Company response
Apology — Ingka Group
Ingka Group, which owns and operates most Ikea stores, noted in a statement after the verdicts that the French retail operation “has strongly condemned the practices, apologized and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again."
Remediation — Ingka Group
Ingka Group, which owns and operates most Ikea stores, noted in a statement after the verdicts that the French retail operation “has strongly condemned the practices, apologized and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again."
Apology — Ikea Retail France
Ikea Retail France has strongly condemned the practices, apologised and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again.
Remediation — Ikea Retail France
Ikea Retail France has strongly condemned the practices, apologised and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again.
Source excerpt
Ikea France was convicted of receiving personal data obtained through fraudulent means in a habitual way, and ordered to pay 1 million euros in fines and about 100,000 euros ($121,225) in damages.
Trade unions accused Ikea France of collecting personal data by fraudulent means, notably via illegally obtained police files, and illicitly disclosing personal information.
The panel of judges at the Versailles court found that between 2009 and 2012, Ikea's French subsidiary used espionage to sift out trouble-makers in the employee ranks and to profile squabbling customers.
2021
Ikea France fined over surveillance practices
Fine or penalty
A French court found Ikea guilty of spying on employees and improperly gathering and storing staff data, and fined the company €1 million. Reports of the case also included allegations of customer surveillance. According to the source, the company apologized and implemented an action plan in response.
Company response
Apology — IKEA Retail France
IKEA Retail France has strongly condemned the practices, apologised and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again.
Remediation — IKEA Retail France
IKEA Retail France has strongly condemned the practices, apologised and implemented a major action plan to prevent this from happening again.
Source excerpt
In France, Ikea has been fined €1 million – equivalent to over £860,000 – after being found guilty of spying on employees over a span of several years.
However, the court also heard that this surveillance technique extended to spying on customers as well.
The furniture giant was found guilty of gathering and improperly storing data on staff by paying for access to police records and scrutinising bank records.
2021
IKEA China fined over air-purifying curtain advertising
Fine or penalty
Shanghai market regulators found that IKEA (China) Investment Co. made a false advertising claim about the GUNRID air-purifying curtain and fined it 1.725 million yuan. Regulators ordered it to stop publishing the advertisement and eliminate its impact within the relevant scope.
Source excerpt
当事人依据在限定的试验条件下，针对特定目标污染物，对窗帘样品检测得到一种理想状态下的净化结果，便宣传窗帘具备“空气净化”功能，忽略了窗帘实际使用的生活环境条件，误导消费者认为该窗帘无使用的限制条件，使用了该窗帘即可净化室内环境中的多种污染物，达到净化空气的目的。该广告对消费者的购买行为有实质性影响，构成虚假广告。
当事人的行为违反了《广告法》的有关规定，市场监管部门依法责令当事人停止发布违法广告，在相应范围内消除影响，处罚款172.5万元。
2021
IKEA recalls HEROISK and TALRIKA products in Taiwan over breakage risk
Recall announced
IKEA announced a recall of Taiwan-made HEROISK and TALRIKA products because they may break when exposed to high temperatures. IKEA said the recall was a precaution and offered full refunds to consumers.
Company response
Recall — IKEA
因此將全數召回並且全額退費。
Refund or compensation — IKEA
全額退費給消費者。
Source excerpt
雖然全球只有個位數的顧客回報，但IKEA重視產品安全，此決定採取預防措施並全面召回產品，全額退費給消費者。
知名瑞典賣場IKEA發出通知，由台灣生產製造的HEROISK和TALRIKA系列因為有遇高溫破裂的風險疑慮，因此將全數召回並且全額退費。
近期，宜家更是因为旗下HEROISK希罗斯和TALRIKA塔利卡系列碗、盘和杯子存在缺陷，召回餐具17.36万件，为公司史上最大规模产品召回。
2021
IKEA China e-commerce unit fined over children's furniture warning labels
Fine or penalty
Shanghai's Xuhui District Market Supervision Administration penalized IKEA E-commerce (China) Co., Ltd. over products lacking required warning signs or Chinese warning instructions, confiscating about RMB 144,900 in illegal gains and imposing a fine of about RMB 56,100. IKEA China said the matter concerned children's furniture age labels and that it had revised the labels to meet national standards.
Company response
Remediation — 宜家中国
后续“已按照国家标准修改了标识。”
Source excerpt
天眼查显示，5月21日，宜家电子商务（中国）有限公司新增1条行政处罚，处罚事由为“使用不当，容易造成产品本身损坏或者可能危及人身、财产安全的产品无警示标志或者中文警示说明”。处罚结果为没收违法所得约14.49万元，罚款约5.61万元，责令改正。处罚单位为上海市徐汇区市场监督管理局。
后续“已按照国家标准修改了标识。”
2020
Ikea settles toddler death lawsuit
Settlement
Ikea agreed to pay $46 million to the family of a two-year-old who died after a dresser tipped onto him. The parents had claimed in the lawsuit that Ikea knew the furniture was unsafe but failed to tell customers it needed to be anchored to a wall.
Company response
Clarification — Ikea
In a statement, Ikea says it is grateful the suit has been settled and is continuing to work at addressing the home safety issue.
Source excerpt
In a statement, Ikea says it is grateful the suit has been settled and is continuing to work at addressing the home safety issue.
In the lawsuit, Jozef’s parents claimed Ikea knew the furniture was unsafe but failed to tell customers the dresser needed to be anchored to a wall.
The retail giant agreed to pay $46 million to two-year-old Jozef Dudek who died after a 70-pound dresser tipped onto him in 2017.
2020
IKEA recalls M?SLI cereal in China
Recall announced
In May 2020, IKEA began recalling M?SLI mixed-fruit cereal sold in China from March 2019 onward after a Shenzhen market-regulator test report found its mold content exceeded the applicable Chinese legal limit. IKEA said it had stopped sales in mainland China and begun an investigation; customers could return the product for a full refund.
IKEA began recalling the M?SLI mixed-fruit cereal sold in China from March 2019 onward after a Shenzhen market-regulator test report found its mold content exceeded the applicable Chinese legal limit. IKEA said it had stopped sales in mainland China and begun an investigation; customers could return the product for a full refund.
Company response
Recall — 宜家
本次召回于2020年5月8日开始，为期一个月。
Remediation — 宜家
宜家已经立即停止了该产品在中国大陆市场所有商场的销售
Investigation — 宜家
并已开始进行相关调查
Refund or compensation — 宜家
宜家在召回公告中呼吁2019年3月及之后购买了M?SLI混合水果干麦片(冲调谷物制品)(500克)产品的顾客前往任意一家宜家商场退货并获得全额退款。
Source excerpt
本次召回于2020年5月8日开始，为期一个月。
报告结果显示，宜家M?SLI混合水果干麦片(冲调谷物制品)(500克)中的霉菌含量超出了中国相关法定限值。
日前，宜家中国官网发布消息称，将在中国市场召回2019年3月及之后销售的宜家M?SLI混合水果干麦片(冲调谷物制品)(500克)产品，原因是其霉菌含量超过了法定限值。
2020
Polish government sues IKEA over employee's dismissal
Lawsuit filed
The Polish government filed a lawsuit against IKEA, alleging that the company infringed a former employee's religious rights by dismissing him. According to the reported account, IKEA's human resources director was also indicted in connection with the case. The report describes the legal action as centering on the termination of the former employee and the claim that it violated his religious rights, with the human resources director facing related charges.
The Polish government sued IKEA, alleging that the company infringed a former employee's religious rights by firing him. The article reports that IKEA's human resources director was also indicted in connection with the case.
Source excerpt
An Ikea spokesperson confirmed that its human resources director has been indicted in the case and said they will provide “full support” to them.
Ikea is being sued by the government in Poland for allegedly infringing upon an employee’s religious rights after he was fired for making horrific anti-LGBT+ comments.