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Ever wished you could test drive furniture before bringing it home? IKEA’s app is making that dream a reality with AR that actually works. But there’s one tiny detail they might be missing that could unlock way more growth
After spending years in the retail app industry, I’ve seen what separates good apps from great ones. IKEA’s built something impressive; from AR room planning to seamless store integration, they’ve cracked the omnichannel code. Here’s my take on what they’re doing right, and where I see an opportunity they might be missing.
IKEA Place isn’t just another AR gimmick. It’s a conversion machine.
Users can visualize furniture in true-to-scale 3D, place items in their actual rooms, and switch colors instantly. But here’s the smart part, IKEA integrates social proof directly into the experience. Product reviews appear alongside AR previews, and inspiration galleries let customers shop complete room setups.
This removes the biggest barrier in furniture shopping: uncertainty. When customers can see exactly how that bookshelf fits their space, purchase confidence skyrockets.
Here’s where IKEA flexes their omnichannel muscles. The app doesn’t just complement in-store shopping, it owns it.
Customers can:
This creates a fluid journey from digital discovery to physical purchase, which means higher cart completions and increased revenue. A smooth customer journey is the fastest way to boost sales, and IKEA’s seamless experience keeps shoppers moving toward purchase without friction.
AppsFlyer tip: To maximize omnichannel success, use deep linking to connect online and offline customer touchpoints. Deep linking sends users from emails, QR codes, or in-store displays directly to specific app destinations, even if the app isn’t installed yet, reducing drop-offs across the customer journey.
IKEA’s loyalty integration deserves applause. The program doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s built into every part of the app experience.
Members track rewards progress, access exclusive offers, and save products for later purchase. This creates multiple touchpoints post-purchase, keeping users engaged long after they’ve assembled that dresser and turning one-time buyers into repeat customers.
The result? Deeper app usage, repeat purchases, and valuable first-party data on customer preferences. Every loyalty interaction becomes a learning opportunity.
Despite excellent UX everywhere else, IKEA’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt appears immediately at launch. This timing likely impacts opt-in rates, as users barely see the app’s value before being asked to share data.
IKEA could be driving those opt-in rates higher by explaining how opting in enhances the user’s shopping experience, just like they’ve done with their push notification onboarding journey.
The fix? Delay the ATT request until users engage with core features. Show them AR in action, let them browse products, demonstrate the app’s value, then explain how data sharing improves their experience.
The key insight here isn’t just about timing, it’s about building value first. Users who understand the benefit are far more likely to consent.
IKEA’s app experience is seamless, intuitive and innovative. But like many leading apps, one challenge remains: connecting all these features back to business impact. That’s where measurement comes in.
Whether it’s AR interactions, loyalty program engagement, or omnichannel customer journeys, measurement is the glue so brands can understand what’s working for your customers, what’s not, and how to improve. Without this insight, you’re constantly playing catch-up to customer expectations, which we all know are getting more demanding. Today’s shoppers expect a 10/10 experience, or they’ll simply leave. And while IKEA sets the bar high, any brand can unlock this level of performance with the right tools.
In my experience, this is where measurement platforms like AppsFlyer become essential. By giving brands visibility into the full customer journey, so as shoppers bounce between channels and devices, you can get insights at every touchpoint, and optimize to constantly improve your customer experience, loyalty, and LTV.
Ready to optimize your omnichannel retail strategy? Explore AppsFlyer’s ecommerce solutions to connect every touchpoint, boost LTV, and measure what matters across the full shopper journey.
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Retail apps like IKEA’s rely on features like AR, loyalty, and in-store integration to drive engagement, but without the right measurement, it’s hard to know what’s truly working. AppsFlyer helps brands connect every touchpoint across mobile, web, and physical stores, providing clear insights into which channels and experiences drive conversions, retention, and long-term value.
IKEA combines practical AR visualization, seamless store integration, and embedded loyalty rewards. The app supports the entire shopping journey from inspiration to purchase, online and offline.
AR reduces purchase uncertainty by letting customers visualize products in their own space. IKEA’s 3D placement feature builds confidence, especially for furniture where fit and style matter most.
Users prompted for data permissions too early often decline. Delaying the request until after key feature engagement builds trust and context, leading to higher opt-in rates.
Deep linking connects owned channels like email, QR codes, and in-store displays directly to specific app experiences. This improves attribution, reduces drop-offs, and creates seamless customer journeys.
