Ikea chooses a houseboat to promote new store

 

Ikea’s houseboat cruise along the Thames

The Swedish company is celebrating the upcoming opening of the IKEA store in Reading, UK. A houseboat (husbåt in Swedish) has been sailing the Thames River from Friday 3rd June and will stop in Oxford and Reading until Thursday 30th June. IKEA has decided to underline something that Sweden and the Thames Valley have in common: living nearby water.

 

Ikea Houseboat on the river Thames

Welcome aboard on the houseboat of Ikea, a great Idea! (photo: Bookahouseboat.com/Ikea)

 

Swedish way of life on IKEA’s houseboat

 

To promote its new store, IKEA offers people the possibility to hop on and off the houseboat. The boat has a sundeck area decorated with outdoor furniture and faux grass where visitors can enjoy a live performance of Swedish music. The Swedish retail firm is also known for selling food, so guests can have a taste of Swedish traditional food and drinks such as meatballs or mocktails. Moreover, the staff members organise craft workshop such as flower garland making.  

 

The sundeck of the Ikea Houseboat

There is also a secret snug, below the deck, where guests can enjoy a cosy interior atmosphere and watch videos about IKEA and Sweden. (photo: Bookahouseboat.com/Ikea)

 

Making environment a priority 

 

On the middle deck, visitors can have a look at an exhibition featuring IKEA products that are environment-friendly. Actually, before opening its store in Reading, the company has done surveys to get to know the lifestyle of the locals. In the Thames Valley, people have an interest for recycling and home cooking. Therefore, sustainable solutions were a priority when arranging this houseboat’s interior. 

 

The interior of the Ikea Houseboat

The interior, designe by... Indeed: Ikea! (photo: Bookahouseboat.com/Ikea)

 

Plus, in order to get in touch with the locals, IKEA has contacted schools. Children are invited to come to the houseboat to learn about sustainable living. The company has set up a competition which consists for pupils in creating a ‘better everyday life’. The winners will have part of their school redecorated and will win IKEA products. 

 

In short, this promotional campaign from IKEA is definitely a very original way to get to know new customers and to spread a sustainable way of life. Hats off to you, IKEA! 

 

Book your place

Just choose a date and a time to suit you, and click below to book a Husbåt event. Or, feel free to pop

along to one of our drop-in sessions. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

 

IKEA FAMILY CRUISES

Come along to one of our special IKEA FAMILY cruises to enjoy live Swedish music and traditional Swedish refreshments, 

alongside a whole host of inspiration and entertainment. Plus, there’ll be IKEA FAMILY goody bags for all.

 

Location Date Book
Caversham Bridge (Reading) Friday 3rd June 13.00- 15.00 Book now
Windsor Riverside railway station Wednesday 15th June 18.15-19.30 Book now
Folly Bridge (Oxford) Saturday 25th June 13.00-15.00 Book now

 

PUBLIC CRUISES

Join us for a cruise on our Husbåt to enjoy three decks of IKEA inspiration as we sail along the Thames. 

There’ll be craft workshops, guided tours, music, refreshments and fun for all.

 

Location Date Book
Mill Meadows (Henley) Monday 6th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Marlow Park Tuesday 7th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Marlow Park (Henley) Wednesday 8th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Mill Meadows (Henley) Thursday 9th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Mill Meadows Friday 10th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Windsor Riverside railway station Monday 13th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Windsor Riverside railway station Tuesday 14th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Boulters Lock (Maidenhead) Thursday 16th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Folly Bridge (Oxford) Thursday 23rd June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Folly Bridge (Oxford) Friday 24th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Foot Bridge (Reading) Tuesday 28th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Caversham Bridge (Reading) Wednesday 29th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now
Foot Bridge (Reading) Thursday 30th June 18:45 - 19:30 Book now

 

And if you got excited about the idea of houseboating, make sure to check out the other houseboat rentals in the UK as well!

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