Czech Ikea prices are falling, but many stores across the border remain cheaper

Despite two years of targeted price reductions by IKEA in Czechia, the promise of the lowest costs remains elusive. Shoppers determined to find the absolute best deal may still need to drive across the border, as stores in neighboring Poland and Germany continue to undercut Czech prices on many key items, according to a new report by Czech media outlet Novinky.cz.

The Ikea Kivik sofa vividly illustrates this shifting price landscape. While the sofa cost around CZK 50,000 in Czech stores in 2022, making it significantly more expensive than in neighboring countries, Czech prices have since been reduced.

“Since September 2023, we have reduced the prices across 70 percent of goods. We are continuing this year; since September, we have reduced the price of more than 150 products,” said Veronika Richterová, spokeswoman for Ikea Czechia.

The Ikea Kivik sofa illustrates the shifting Ikea price landscape. In 2022, the sofa cost around CZK 50,000 in Czech stores: roughly CZK 16,000 more than in Germany and CZK 20,000 more than in Poland.

Even with these reductions, the price gap persists, and the disparity has a wider economic impact. The sustained price disparity directly drives “price tourism,” where thousands of Czech shoppers cross borders for better deals.

This practice, while saving households money, causes a substantial annual outflow of consumer spending (potentially millions of crowns) from the domestic Czech retail sector.

Analysts caution that sweeping price cuts are unlikely. Petr Kymlička, an analyst at consulting firm Moore, added, “Of course, it is not possible to make everything cheaper at once; this could lead to logistical problems and threaten the company’s financial stability.”

The push for lower prices is also a reflection of new leadership priorities at IKEA. Juvencio Maeztu, the company’s first non-Swedish CEO, took office in November and has made “price sustainability” a key strategic focus.

Looking at general merchandise, the market is beginning to stabilize on some classic items. The long-standing Billy bookcase, for example, now costs about CZK 1,200 across Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany. Austria remains slightly higher.

Newer items show similar trends. The Narrkolv ceiling lamp sells for roughly CZK 1,250 in most countries, with Austria again paying a premium of about CZK 250 more.

While Czech shoppers are gradually benefiting from the efforts to lower domestic costs, the core finding remains unchanged: stores in Poland and Germany continue to offer the most attractive deals for budget-conscious customers. For now, cross-border shopping remains the smartest option for finding the absolute lowest IKEA prices.