They are, afterall, a business trying to sell their products. For a furniture store (my experience is from stores in India), I find the experience compelling.

Part of the reason their stores are like that, is they prioritize the look and feel of the "space", rather than the look and feel of the "product", which, to me is great marketing for a furniture company.

When I go to an IKEA and walk around their showcase rooms, I imagine different furniture items in my own home, visualize their location and use and then make a decision.

Its actually a great experience. Also, in India, most of my friends and colleagues go to an Ikea with an expectation that they will be spending their whole day there, probably lunch there and go to a movie at the end, perhaps.

So the whole shopping experience is very very relaxed and if you have kids, a whole riot.

Its awesome.