IKEA hopes to avoid empty shelves by chartering and buying shipping containers itself. The train link between China and Europe should additionally provide solace as an alternative to shipping.
A huge shortage of transport capacity means you pay twice as much for container rental as in 2016. With an external container shipping company, the price has increased fivefold, often combined with long waiting times.The problems were caused by the corona crisis, when production was halted in Asia. To this was later added the delay caused by the Ever Given.
Meanwhile, demand for furniture and kitchens is increasing at IKEA. Last year, IKEA shipped 10 per cent more products, despite limited transport capacity. Still, the housing giant is increasingly struggling with empty shelves, with an IKEA spokesperson telling RTL that a small part of the range will be unavailable in the coming period. The furniture giant does try to stock the most relevant products.
With its own containers and chartering ships, IKEA hopes to circumvent shortages and reduce dependence on others. The retailer would not disclose how many containers it has bought and which ships it charters.
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