Ikea Bungles Recall
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Ikea has finally recalled dressers in China that could tip over if not properly anchored. In June, the company recalled 36 million dressers in the United States and Canada after reports that six children were killed. But Ikea skipped China because, according to a WeChat post, the dressers met local regulations.
Chinese news agency Xinhua criticized Ikea, referring to the company's "arrogance":
"The behavior shown contradicts to the 'Ikea spirit' that founder Ingvar Kamprad talks about, being helpful and responsible" and "China is a huge market, and should not be deprived of the high standards that the brand promises."
In a turnaround a few days after the WeChat post, Ikea recalled all dressers, which includes about 1.7 million in China. On a page on its Chinese website, the company announced the recall and reinforced its campaign, "Firmly Fixed," which encourages people to anchor certain products to the wall. Consumers also can read the recall FAQ.
Discussion Starters:
- What is Ikea's responsibility to communicate installation instructions? What is the consumer's responsibility to install furniture properly?
- Should Ikea have recalled all products? Did the company do the right thing after the criticism? What are the consequences of each decision?
