Competitive AdvantageIKEA, which has been providing stylish, inexpensive furniture for decades, has established a competitive advantage that has contributed to global market saturation, making it the largest retailer of furniture in the world. By staying true to its mission, executing its business plan and strategically choosing its markets, IKEA has provided people around the world with quality products at affordable prices. In the more recent past, IKEA has maintained an edge over its competitors through an assortment of innovative techniques. Some of these more interesting concepts include an increased social media presence aimed at providing customers with a medium to share rooms and redecorating ideas around IKEA products and the introduction of a customer take-back program for furniture used (Interbrand, 2014).CompetitorsIKEA, like any other company, has many competitors who compete with the company at different stages. As we so often see optically in today's market, the caliber of competition can depend on the various industries and geographic regions in which the company operates (IKEA, 2014). In the case of IKEA, as a global company operating in twenty-six countries, it would obviously have many competitors. In an effort to locate these competitors, we will present them by continent and present IKEA's most visible competitors in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Although the IKEA brand's competitors are valuable, none other than IKEA appears in Forbes' World's Most Valuable Brand Profile for Year-End 2013.North AmericaWith a presence of fifty stores in America North, including thirty-eight in the United States, IKEA North Am...... middle of paper ......rations in the United Kingdom and Europe, is the largest online retailer of online furniture of the country, according to its website. Milan Direct's online-only, direct-to-customer business model focuses on selling home/office/outdoor furniture, lighting, linens, rugs, and home goods ( Milan Direct, 2014). While Milan Direct is perhaps the largest online furniture retailer in Australia, IKEA also competes with Harvey Norman, another local Australian retailer. With stores spread across Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia, they currently operate over 230 locations selling an assortment of home-related items. These items include items from the following categories: Electrical, Computers & Communications, Small Appliances, Furniture, Bedding, Home Improvements, Lighting, and Carpets & Flooring (Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd, 2014).