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For Chinese, Ikea a Great Place to Nap

In store, customers rest, eat rather than buy

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 6:59 AM CDT

(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.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

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. (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. (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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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

hualun

Apr 23, 2011 9:07 AM CDT

Indeed, this is really so funny for the newcomer … but if you’v ebeen living in China for a while, then you kind of start thinking “why not?”. In general people here don’tcare so much about what the other/unknown thinks. There’s another great article and pics on this page : http://lilysantiques.com/blog/2011/04/23/gao-bei-dian-vs-ikea-test/

NxBigmouthery

Aug 25, 2009 12:02 PM CDT

If only the display toilets were hooked up to pipes, I wouldn't have got into so much trouble.

Yourself

Aug 25, 2009 3:10 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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For Chinese, Ikea a Great Place to Nap