Ikea acquires AI logistics company Locus

Ikea's parent company Ingka has acquired US logistics specialist Locus, which is known for its artificial intelligence-based software. The acquisition is being made through Ingka Investments, the investment subsidiary of Ikea's parent company Ingka Group. It is intended to improve the furniture retailer's digital capabilities and give it better control over a crucial point in the customer journey. Until now, Ikea has been working with service providers for this purpose.

Locus has developed an AI-powered logistics management platform for route optimisation, real-time tracking and the utilisation of vehicles and resources. By integrating these functions, Locus will enable the Ingka Group to increase efficiency along the entire supply chain, according to a press release – from capacity management and optimisation to last-mile execution. The partnership not only strengthens the way Ikea delivers its goods to customers worldwide, but also supports the company's goal of building a faster and smarter distribution network. The background to this is that Ikea's online share of sales has grown enormously, from 11 per cent in the 2019 financial year to 28 per cent in 2024.