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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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For Chinese, Ikea a Great Place to Nap

In store, customers rest, eat rather than buy

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(Newser) – In Beijing, people flock to the local Ikea—but for many, it’s not about picking up new housewares. Instead, they spend the day napping in display beds, eating at the cafeteria, enjoying free soda refills, and posing in front of in-store displays, the Los Angeles Times reports. it's become as much theme park as retailer. “It's the only big store in Beijing where a security guard doesn't stop you from taking a picture,” says one browser.

“We want to be modern. I think IKEA stands for a kind of lifestyle. People don't necessarily want to buy it, but they want to at least experience it,” notes another.

A Chinese man tries out chairs at the IKEA Siyuanqiao store in Beijing, China, in this Wednesday, April 12, 2006 file photo.
A Chinese man tries out chairs at the IKEA Siyuanqiao store in Beijing, China, in this Wednesday, April 12, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
A Chinese worker operates heavy machinery at the warehouse section of the newly completed IKEA Siyuanqiao store in Beijing, China, in this Wednesday, April 12, 2006 file photo.
A Chinese worker operates heavy machinery at the warehouse section of the newly completed IKEA Siyuanqiao store in Beijing, China, in this Wednesday, April 12, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan/File)
Customers work their way thorough a winding line to enter the new Ikea store for its grand opening, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in South Jordan, Utah.
Customers work their way thorough a winding line to enter the new Ikea store for its grand opening, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in South Jordan, Utah.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
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Today we didn't plan to buy anything, just eat and rest. - Ikea customer in Beijing whose whole family was lounging on beds

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4 comments
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DarkFrancis
Aug 25, 09 7:02 AM CDT
If only the display toilets were hooked up to pipes, I wouldn't have got into so much trouble. Reply
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ruserious
Aug 25, 09 9:34 AM CDT
I have heard about IKEA's free child-watching services, and parents will take their kids there and then leave the store to run errands--instead of paying for a babysitter! IKEA says they're okay with it, because it gets the parent in the door. Who knew IKEA could fill so many different roles? Reply
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Yourself
Aug 25, 09 10:10 AM CDT
leaving your kids at a child-watch and then leaving the store is illegal in most (possibly all) states. I have a hard time believing that IKEA is really ok with it, especially when i've been there and they keep paging "will the parents of little Timmy PLEASE come to the child play area IMMEDIATELY!"
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ruserious
Aug 25, 09 1:03 PM CDT
I don't know--I've never been to an IKEA. I just heard this on an NPR segment a couple of weeks ago. I don't know??
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