Today we decided to explore our new surroundings so I purposed a circumnavigation of Lake Washington. Edmonds to downtown Seattle to Renton to Kirkland and back to Edmonds. After grabbing coffee and making a quick stop at Urban Outfitters, we headed out to IKEA.
IKEA successfully blew my mind. From a logistics/supply chain/marketing/HR/display standpoint, IKEA is astounding.
I've never seen a business that creates its own business multi plex park with hundreds of thousands of square ft of parking, then figures out how to successfully and gracefully run 5-10,000 people through their maze. The maze is so taxing that they treat you to an intermission; a high school sized cafeteria and bistro complete with most any food you could imagine all at staggering low prices. One hotdog and an ice cream cone? $1.50.
They literally created a yellow brick road of a shopping paradise. Its like being transported inside a Sears catalog and viewing the displays firsthand. Everything about it is 100% surreal.
I couldn't tell if I wanted to run and scream, or thoroughly investigate the displays and start shopping. As with most shopping trips performed by men, the trip is palatable only if the shopping mission has utility and my pocketbook has the funds to backup our current "needs". Some people call Costco the $100 store. If that's the case, lets call IKEA the $500 store.
So after winding our way through the current of humanity, taking the obligatory intermission at the cafe and agreeing upon our items, we arrived at the "pickup warehouse". All 70 aisles worth. I don't do a lot of furniture shopping, but apparently IKEA is SUPER cheap. Their sercret? Outsourcing labor. That's great, but they are actually outsourcing their labor to husbands, boyfriends, and that guy from econ class that is somewhat handy. Its deviant, bold and brilliant. And it costs them...nothing.
Lets just say I know what ill be doing ALL tomorrow afternoon...
Entrance to the madness...
Taking pictures of potential (eminent) purchases...
Addy snaps a shot from the cart...
If you ever visit IKEA and are serious about shopping there, do NOT drive a KIA
After the shopping adventure, we finished our circumnavigation of Lake Washington by cruising into Kirkland, and playing at Waverly Park. Very windy.
IKEA successfully blew my mind. From a logistics/supply chain/marketing/HR/display standpoint, IKEA is astounding.
I've never seen a business that creates its own business multi plex park with hundreds of thousands of square ft of parking, then figures out how to successfully and gracefully run 5-10,000 people through their maze. The maze is so taxing that they treat you to an intermission; a high school sized cafeteria and bistro complete with most any food you could imagine all at staggering low prices. One hotdog and an ice cream cone? $1.50.
They literally created a yellow brick road of a shopping paradise. Its like being transported inside a Sears catalog and viewing the displays firsthand. Everything about it is 100% surreal.
I couldn't tell if I wanted to run and scream, or thoroughly investigate the displays and start shopping. As with most shopping trips performed by men, the trip is palatable only if the shopping mission has utility and my pocketbook has the funds to backup our current "needs". Some people call Costco the $100 store. If that's the case, lets call IKEA the $500 store.
So after winding our way through the current of humanity, taking the obligatory intermission at the cafe and agreeing upon our items, we arrived at the "pickup warehouse". All 70 aisles worth. I don't do a lot of furniture shopping, but apparently IKEA is SUPER cheap. Their sercret? Outsourcing labor. That's great, but they are actually outsourcing their labor to husbands, boyfriends, and that guy from econ class that is somewhat handy. Its deviant, bold and brilliant. And it costs them...nothing.
Lets just say I know what ill be doing ALL tomorrow afternoon...
Entrance to the madness...
Taking pictures of potential (eminent) purchases...
Addy snaps a shot from the cart...If you ever visit IKEA and are serious about shopping there, do NOT drive a KIAAfter the shopping adventure, we finished our circumnavigation of Lake Washington by cruising into Kirkland, and playing at Waverly Park. Very windy.
3 comments:
You have a VERY beautiful family. Glad you finally got to experience IKEA!
oh McBean -What an amazing blog. I feel like i am right there in the cart with Addy . i accompanied Jordyn and Chad to IKEA too -and was blown away too... and your lovely blondes look so happy. i ~*~rejoice with the kannings daily for your new adventure . Blessings inabundance on you all . we love and miss you so much <3
Nice blog and sweet family.
Aron from Store Hours
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