Why IKEA Would Win at Guitar Retail (and What You Can Steal From Them)

By Lee Alexander

You don’t go to IKEA because it’s quick. You go because it works — even if it means dragging yourself through a winding yellow-and-blue maze to buy a lamp, three tealights and a questionable hotdog. 

It’s not about convenience. It’s about experience. And in 2025, that’s rare.

While furniture is something most people could buy online, millions still choose to visit IKEA stores. Meanwhile, in our world, guitar shops are often watching their footfall dwindle, responding with the same knee-jerk solution: slashing prices.

But here’s the thing: IKEA rarely discounts. And they’re packed.

So what are they doing that most guitar shops aren’t?

🧠 IKEA Doesn’t Just Sell Stuff — They Sell a Journey

Let’s break down a few simple truths that keep IKEA stores full while MI stores are crying out for traffic.

1. They Make the Visit Worthwhile

IKEA doesn’t show you products in boxes. It shows you rooms. You’re not buying a bookshelf, you’re stepping into a cosy, curated lifestyle.

Now compare that with your average guitar shop: rows of guitars, amps on shelves, a cable jungle by the till. Functional? Sure. Inspiring? Not always.

🎸 Lesson: Can you curate spaces, not just displays? A “first gig rig” zone. A “busker’s corner.” A “bedroom studio” bay. Show people how music fits into their lives — not just what to buy.

2. They Prime the Impulse Buy

Walk through IKEA and you’re hit with £3 picture frames, £1 mugs, 99p bulbs. And you’ll probably buy them.

Everything has a role in the journey — and by the time you reach the checkout, your trolley is heavier than your intention.

🎸 Lesson: What’s your “till point temptation”? Is there a £3 capo, a strap upgrade, a strings offer? Could every guitar be merchandised with a stand, case and cable as default? If you don’t prompt the bundle visually, most customers won’t imagine it.

3. They Don’t Race to the Bottom

You won’t find 20% off posters at IKEA. The message is consistent value — not chaotic clearance.

Discounting signals panic. It trains customers to wait, not buy.

🎸 Lesson: Instead of cutting price, add perceived value. Offer a free setup. Bundle a lesson. Throw in a strap, a clip on tuner or even a gig bag. Make your offer better, not cheaper.

4. They Sell Solutions, Not Just Products

IKEA’s real genius is in solving problems: “Furnish your first flat for under £500”, “Storage for small spaces”, “Home office on a budget.”

It’s emotional retail, not technical retail.

🎸 Lesson: Could your store offer “Guitarist Starter Packs” for parents? “Pedalboard Essentials” for bedroom producers? Speak to needs, not just SKUs.

5. They Design the Exit

The final stage of IKEA? A hot dog and a dopamine hit. You leave full and oddly pleased with yourself.

🎸 Lesson: What’s your customer walking out with (besides the product)? A flyer for an upcoming event? A QR code to a YouTube tutorial? An invite to an in-store event? Make leaving feel like the beginning of a relationship — not the end of a transaction.

💭 Why This Matters Now

With the “retail is dead” chorus still echoing across the MI industry, IKEA reminds us that retail isn’t dead — it’s just changed. You can’t expect people to show up out of loyalty, necessity, or habit anymore. You must give them a reason.

That reason is not always the best price. Often, it’s:

• A better experience.

• A clearer solution.

• A more helpful journey.

The guitar retail sector has something even IKEA doesn’t: passion. Emotion. Culture. Music. Community. That’s a serious unfair advantage — if we use it right.

✅ 5 Quick Things to Steal from IKEA This Month:

1. Re-theme a display around a solution (e.g. “First Gig Rig” or “Home Recording Starter Kit”)

2. Bundle visually, not just with tags. Put the strap on the guitar. Are gig bags on display and priced clearly etc.

3. Review your checkout zone — what’s the impulse add-on?

4. Stop panicking and discounting. Add value instead.

5. Design a better goodbye. Leave every customer with a reason to return.

🪑 Final Thought: You’re Not a Warehouse. You’re a Stage.

IKEA turns furniture into lifestyle. Your job is even easier — music already is a lifestyle. You just need to show it.