According to an article written by Hannah Leung in Global Times, the enthused Chinese demographic treats IKEA as a package experience, not just a place to pick up knick-knacks and go. Carrefour, Walmart, B&Q and other similar centers are not this popular on the weekdays, though they are located in more convenient areas. So what's so great about IKEA? Waiting in a 30-minute line to buy my Swedish meatballs on a Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoon, I produced some heavy research, now dubbed "Notes From IKEA: Why IKEA is so Appealing to Chinese People:"

The café: The word "cafeteria" in Beijing usually conjures up images of dingy lighting, residual food on tables, boisterous crowds and hastily cooked line food. IKEA's food court boasts bright sunlight, large windows and even a live band, present on two of the three days I went. It's like a rowdy day bar, with free flowing non-alcoholic beverages. No one rushes you out of this abyss; you can hang out here for hours. Which people do.
 

The food: The food is both familiar yet foreign, affordable yet luxurious. Swedish meatballs next to pork gaifan. Tiramisu cake and sweet milk curd. And the prime attraction: all you can drink beverages. For a mere five yuan, you can refill that coffee as many times as possible. The icing on top of the cake: If you're a member, which the friends I went with are, you can instantly get a free coffee with your free membership.

Prime napping areas: The beds and sofas are comfortable enough to sleep in, and people "test" it out, hours at a time. IKEA is a tiring experience, and I am not above taking a power nap or two myself. I recommend hitting the sofa-beds.
 

The service: Usually, upon venturing into stores in China, the employees follow you around until you start feeling like a shoplifter, causing you to grossly exaggerate your movements. (I am taking my cell phone out! I am not stealing!) That doesn't happen in IKEA. No one follows you. No one cares how long you're in the store for. Overnight is tricky, though.

It's a cheap date: As my friend said, "IKEA is cheaper than watching a movie. If I go with someone, we can get a main course, dessert, browse around, and even pick up a few useless but fun items. And you can download movies anyways." I'm pretty sold on this one.
 

Good photo opportunities: "It's normal to go to IKEA to take pictures. You know, post it on microblog and stuff. Plus, Chinese people like pictures." The following is socio-psychological insight from my sage friend, when pressed to answer my question of why there was a photo session happening in one of the display kitchens.
 

One-yuan ice cream cones and three-yuan hot dogs: Found in the basement floor, to reward you after your efforts of tromping around. The cheapest, and by far, most delicious soft serve in Beijing.

you know, this stuff will meet their vanity. especially, there too many rich man don't know  how to spent their money(true thing). and purchase IKEA will make them felt more elengant than others.

Same reason as people everywhere like their crap. Good marketing.