IKEA specializes in affordable, flat-pack furniture with Scandinavian design principles, while Target operates as a general merchandise retailer with pre-assembled furniture and broader household goods. IKEA offers significantly lower prices on furniture (20-40% cheaper on average) but requires assembly, whereas Target provides convenience with ready-to-use items and faster checkout.
IKEA vs Target — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Swedish furniture and home goods retailer specializing in affordable flat-pack designs.
American general merchandise discount retailer with furniture, home goods, clothing, and essentials.
Primary Business Model. Average Furniture Price Point. Furniture Assembly Required. Product Category Count. Average Customer Satisfaction. Return Policy Window. Same-Day Delivery Availability
Choose IKEA if you want to maximize budget on furniture purchases, enjoy DIY assembly, and appreciate Scandinavian minimalist design—you'll save 30-40% compared to competitors. Choose Target if you prioritize convenience, want pre-assembled items, need broader product selection beyond furniture, and value faster delivery and returns through their extensive store network.
IKEA: IKEA PS 2026 (10th generation) | Target: N/A
IKEA: 90-120 minutes | Target: 15-30 minutes
IKEA: 46 locations | Target: 1,948 locations
IKEA: 45 categories | Target: 15 categories
IKEA: 30,000 sq ft | Target: 130,000 sq ft
IKEA: 2-4 hours (major pieces) | Target: N/A
IKEA: 30-90 minutes per item | Target: N/A
IKEA: 4-8 options per model | Target: N/A
IKEA: 461 stores in 63 countries | Target: N/A
IKEA: $49-$199 delivery fee | Target: N/A
IKEA: Limited promotional periods only | Target: N/A
IKEA: 2.5 (average) | Target: 0 (pre-assembled)
IKEA: 250 (select markets) | Target: 2000+
IKEA: Member pricing (varies) | Target: 5% (RedCard)
IKEA: N/A | Target: 60+ million Circle members (estimated)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Same-day pickup or 1-2 days
IKEA: N/A | Target: 12+ major categories with 40M+ items
IKEA: N/A | Target: 60-90 days (Circle members get 90)
Average Price Premium vs Market Baseline
IKEA: N/A | Target: 12+ (groceries, apparel, home, electronics, beauty, toys, etc.)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Publicly traded (founded 1962)
Furniture Customization Variations Per Item
IKEA: N/A | Target: $35 (RedCard) / $75 (standard)
IKEA: N/A | Target: 1-2 days (in-store pickup) or 2-3 days (delivery)
IKEA: N/A | Target: 30-120 days (varies by category)
IKEA: N/A | Target: 50+ million (RedCard)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Optical services only
IKEA: N/A | Target: 2 hours (most locations)
IKEA: N/A | Target: None (general customer service only)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Same-day (varies by location)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Apparel, home, grocery, beauty, electronics
Average Electronics Price Competitiveness
IKEA: N/A | Target: 97 (5% lower with RedCard)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Limited access (mostly drugstore brands like Maybelline, Neutrogena)
IKEA: N/A | Target: $25-40 average transaction
IKEA: N/A | Target: 1% cash back (Red Card)
IKEA: N/A | Target: Minimal services at select urban locations only
IKEA: N/A | Target: Buy online, pickup (2 hours), drive-up, same-day delivery
IKEA vs Target — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for IKEA vs Target. Contains 92 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
IKEA vs Target — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for IKEA vs Target.
Yes, for most budget-conscious buyers. IKEA furniture is 30-40% cheaper than Target's equivalent items, and assembly takes 1-3 hours for most pieces. Modern IKEA designs are known for durability—many items last 5-8 years with proper care. The savings ($300 on a sofa) typically outweigh the assembly effort for first-time buyers.
Can I return furniture to Target and IKEA if assembled?
IKEA accepts returns for 365 days regardless of assembly (as long as item is in original condition). Target has a 90-day window and typically requires items to be unassembled or in original packaging for furniture returns. IKEA's extended policy is significantly more consumer-friendly.
Target offers same-day delivery at 2,000+ locations through partnerships with delivery services, typically within 2-4 hours of order. IKEA's same-day delivery is limited to ~250 major metropolitan areas. For next-day or standard delivery, both offer 3-7 day options, but Target's network is substantially larger.
Does IKEA or Target have better design quality?
IKEA is recognized for Scandinavian minimalist design with functional aesthetics, while Target offers more traditional/eclectic styles. Design preference is subjective, but IKEA scores higher in design magazines (4.6/5 in design publications) for innovation. Target appeals to buyers seeking broader style variety and mainstream appeal.
What if I need furniture today but don't want to assemble?
Target is your best option—they offer same-day delivery in 2,000+ locations with pre-assembled furniture ready to use immediately. IKEA's assembly-free options are limited, though some locations offer assembly services for an additional fee (typically $50-200 depending on item complexity).
Primary Business Model: IKEA has Furniture and home goods specialist, while Target has General merchandise discount retailer.
Average Furniture Price Point: IKEA has $150-300 (flat-pack), while Target has $300-600 (assembled).
Furniture Assembly Required: IKEA has 95% of items require assembly, while Target has Most items pre-assembled or ready-to-use.
Product Category Count: IKEA has ~9,500 SKUs (furniture-focused), while Target has ~180,000 SKUs (diversified).
Average Customer Satisfaction: IKEA has 4.1/5 stars (56,000+ reviews), while Target has 4.3/5 stars (89,000+ reviews).
Return Policy Window: IKEA has 365 days (most items), while Target has 90 days (most items).
Consider: Same-Day Delivery Availability
Same-Day Delivery Availability: IKEA has Limited (major cities only), while Target has Available in 2,000+ locations.