IKEA aims at college students with 'Freshman Fifteen'
By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/17/2004
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA. —Ikea will officially kick off its Back-to-College season June 30 under the theme, "The Freshman Fifteen."
The fifteen in question are dorm-oriented home products. The price span ranges from 50 cents for a white ceramic bowl just large enough to hold a pack of Ramen noodles, to $29.99 for a footstool with slipcover.
Textiles include an all cotton twin quilt cover and pillowcase for $19.99; solid color bath towels at $3.49 each; and funky throw pillows for $9.99.
Rounding out the fifteen are: solid-color plastic wastebasket, 99 cents; cardboard storage boxes with lids, $3.99 for a 2-pack; ironing board, $3.99; a dial bath scale, $4.99; desktop work lamp, $4.99; a glass paperweight, $4.99; a small occasional table, $5.99; alarm clock, $9.99; plastic under-desk storage unit on rollers, $9.99; and a swivel chair on rollers, $19.99.
Most of the furniture items will be flat-packed for easier toting. In addition to The Freshman Fifteen, the retailer will also pitch larger items to the college-bound, including desks, chairs, beds, sofa beds, futons, bookcases, posters, frames, lighting, rugs, curtains, bath accessories, kitchenware and party goods.
