Ikea this week gave all 12,400 American employees a holiday gift, a free mountain bike, partly to say thank you, and partly to encourage bike commuting.
And in true Ikea fashion, the bike comes in a big cardboard box and employees have to put it together themselves from black-and-white instructions - celebrating the same do-it-yourself ethos that customers encounter with most Ikea furniture.
"This year, Ikea wanted to do something a bit more special to say thank you to coworkers for their hard work, while supporting each coworker in living a healthy, sustainable life," said Ikea spokeswoman Debra Faulk. "And talk about sustainable transport!"
Last year, Ikea gave Tampa workers $50 gift card to Darden-brand restaurants like Olive Garden and Red Lobster.
Ikea had these bikes custom made and decorated with the company colors of blue and yellow. As of Wednesday, several hundred Tampa Ikea workers had picked up their bikes, though about 40 unassembled bikes lay stacked in boxes in a storage area at the store.
Ikea sells many of its thousands of products unassembled to help lower costs and provide for more compact shipping and handling. The bike in a box is easier to get into a car unassembled, Faulk said, and "We are Ikea after all."
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