Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group and the largest IKEA retailer, has acquired U.S.-based Locus, a logistics technology company specializing in artificial intelligence.
The move aims to improve IKEA’s digital logistics capabilities and streamline the home delivery experience for customers, the company announced.
“This acquisition strengthens the digital capabilities required to meet rising customer expectations, while ensuring the quality and reliability IKEA is known for,” said Parag Parekh, global chief digital officer for IKEA Retail (Ingka Group), in a statement.
Locus provides an AI-powered logistics platform offering advanced route optimization, real-time tracking and resource allocation tools. Ingka Group said the integration of these services will help enhance supply chain efficiency, from capacity management to last-mile delivery execution.
Ingka Investments described the acquisition as a strategic step to increase control over a “critical moment in the customer journey,” as online sales continue to grow. According to the company, online sales accounted for 28 per cent of total IKEA retail sales in fiscal year 2024, up from 11 per cent in 2019.
The investment builds on previous technology partnerships by Ingka Group, including Made4net, which supports warehouse management, and TaskRabbit, which provides furniture assembly services.
“Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many, and that includes delivering products when and how customers want them,” Parekh said.
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