The 1980s begin with a global recession.
But by 1983, the West has recovered from previous crises.
Now times are different.
The decade is all about luxury, excess
and living like there's no tomorrow.
But there's a shadow hanging over all this success and extravagance:
Many believe the Cold War will explode in a mushroom cloud.
And a mysterious illness starts killing homosexual men around the world.
During the 70s we gathered more and more possessions,
and this continues into the 80s. But where will we fit all our stuff?
Rooms need to be organised, and IKEA is quick to respond.
Drawers, shelves and boxes are huge hits.
Using plywood and struggling joineries, which start making storage instead,
IKEA helps people around the world with getting their homes in order.
But what about keeping IKEA in order?
The company has grown at a furious pace, with stores around the world.
But the organisation has not kept up.
A serious effort is needed to improve management.
And just as the growing pains have been dealt with,
there are more problems around the corner.
IKEA tries to keep up with every global trend,
and the product range is expanding wildly.
Spending too much time watching what others are doing,
IKEA starts lagging behind and falls into an identity crisis.
But necessity is the mother of invention, a saying that suits IKEA perfectly.
And although IKEA doesn't feel at home in the glitzy 1980s,
it still manages to make breakthroughs in furniture design.
Steel has always been vital to Swedish industry,
and now it's being used in Swedish furniture as well.
Strong, inexpensive and recyclable.
IKEA furniture is attractive and affordable, but is it comfortable?
Expansion continues.
In the 1980s IKEA opens 51 new stores around the globe.
Showcasing the blue and yellow.
IKEA, you're incredible, an incredible place to be
Partially blinded by growth frenzy,
a decade of stagnating sales and scandals awaits IKEA.