Tomorrow is the traditional Philadelphia Thanksgiving parade which was threatened to be cancelled because the previous years sponsor Boscovs, a regional department store chain is in bankrupcy.  Ikea at the last minute stepped up and sponsored the parade.  Really smart move on Ikea’s part from a business and PR perspective.  Sorry Boscov’s you look like the Grinch.

First of all thank you Ikea for contributing in a holiday season that looks dismal from a retail perspective.

Ikea has some roots in the Philadelphia region. Their first North American store abutted the Plymouth Meeting Mall in Plymouth Township right outside the Philadelphia city limits.

Their new store in Conshockon right off of 476 is much bigger.  If anyone knows the history of Ikea it was started in Sweden by Ingvar Kamprad who started his retail career riding around Sweden selling fish off his bike.  

Needless to say old Ingvar is now one of the richest people in the world.  Ikea is the largest retailer and manufacturer of furniture in the world. (Hey Ingvar can I have an end table, one of those lamps and a 1/2 pound of that those loxs.)

Ikea sells a lot of furniture but its reputation for sturdiness has been suspect for years.  (Next time you move check out the contract the movers give you.  There probably is a clause saying something to the effect that they are not responsible for Ikea furniture breaking during the move.)

On the other hand the prices are good, the selection is decent, the employees are nice and the swedish meatballs in the restaurant are to die for.

Update article from other news source about Ikea

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2008/11/13/Ikea_rescues_Philadelphia_parade/UPI-40811226624495/