In a move to boost the service component of its business, the Ikea Group has signed a conditional agreement to acquire TaskRabbit, a company that provides consumers with independent contractors for everyday needs.
TaskRabbit operates in the United States and United Kingdom, and will continue to function as an independent company under Ikea ownership.
Ikea noted that TaskRabbit connects consumers with skilled so-called Taskers to handle everyday needs such as furniture assembly, moving and packing, general handyman work and home improvements. The company recently expanded its presence to 40 cities in the U.S. and London. In November 2016, Ikea launched a pilot program involving TaskRabbit and the retailer’s stores in London that provided Tasker furniture-assembly services for its customers.
When completed, the acquisition will enable Ikea Group to provide consumers with access to the services provided by TaskRabbit. In addition to supporting consumers in the U.S. and the UK, the company said it might expand TaskRabbit services to other countries at a later date.
“In a fast changing retail environment, we continuously strive to develop new and improved products and services to make our customers’ lives a little bit easier. Entering the on-demand, sharing economy enables us to support that. We will be able to learn from TaskRabbit’s digital expertise, while also providing Ikea customers additional ways to access flexible and affordable service solutions to meet the needs of today’s customer,” said Jesper Brodin, president and CEO of the Ikea Group.
