At this year’s POC Conference, IKEA is set to take the stage not just as a global furniture giant, but as a changemaker redefining what sustainability means across the retail and business landscape.

Thomas Suchy, sustainability transformation at IKEA, has explained how the company is embedding sustainability not just into its operations, but deep into its organisational culture – and why this matters for the broader business community – in an exclusive pre-conference conversation.

IKEA’s journey toward sustainability, is rooted in its history. “If you look at where we started, so much of what we did was about efficiency and cost-saving – long before we used today’s language of sustainability,” Thomas explained. Over time, those values evolved into a deliberate sustainability strategy, touching every corner of the business.

A pivotal moment came five years ago, when IKEA decided that all its retail managers would also serve as chief sustainability officers in their respective countries. This enabled upskilling programmes to ensure leadership at all levels are equipped and accountable for driving sustainability.

But Thomas recognises the challenges: “For many companies, making the leap from traditional, linear business models to truly regenerative ones is difficult.” IKEA’s solution is to empower at every level – from top management to shop workers.

One standout example comes from IKEA Food, a division best known for those iconic Swedish meatballs, but also one of the largest restaurant chains globally. Through concerted efforts, the food team has already cut climate footprint and food waste by 50%, with even more ambitious targets ahead. It’s holistic approach winds through every layer of the business: engaging employees, supporting customers in reducing their own food waste (potentially saving substantial money in the process), and sharing best practices industry-wide.

Through a partnership with the SME Climate Hub – piloted in the UK and Ireland – IKEA is now reaching out directly to business customers, offering tools, resources, and support to help them lower their climate impact and set out on their own sustainability journeys.

Thomas wants to share IKEA’s sustainability journey as an ongoing effort and to inspire other organisations to take the next step.

Stay tuned for more from the Products of Change Conference on 5 November, where industry leaders like IKEA will gather to root sustainability firmly into smart business. Get your tickets here.