IKEA’s Ingka Group Buys Locus As Amazon Prime Users Adds A Single-tap Feature

If you’re not just an online window-shopper, we bet you’ve wished online shopping could be just a little bit easier. Fewer clicks, quicker deliveries, and zero pricing surprises at checkout isn’t that much to ask, right?

Well, you’re not alone. Most shoppers crave convenience at each touchpoint—from browsing to delivery.

This raised a deeper question for e-commerce giants: how can we make shopping effortless. Not just helping consumers find what they love, but delivering it to their doorstep faster, cheaper, and smarter.

Well, that’s the question that will redefine convenience in the digital shopping era, and this week we saw glimpses into how retail giants are rethinking their strategies for maximum shopping convenience.

Ingka Group, a retailer that runs 90% of IKEA stores worldwide, has taken a bold step by acquiring Locus, a U.S.-based AI logistics platform, to supercharge its delivery operations.

Meanwhile, another giant, Amazon, just made online shopping even easier with a one-tap feature for Prime members.

So, what’s driving these moves, and what do they mean for how we shop and receive our orders?

Read on!
 

What Did IKEA’s Ingka Group Reveal?

Ingka Group's investment arm, Ingka Investments, has acquired the AI-powered logistics software company Locus.

With this acquisition, IKEA aims to cut global delivery costs by nearly €100 million annually, thanks to AI-driven route optimization and smarter vehicle usage. The move is part of IKEA’s broader $2.2 billion expansion in the U.S. to compete with online-first players like Wayfair and Walmart.

Although the deal value hasn’t been disclosed, Locus was last valued at around $300 million in 2021. The AI platform helps group orders, predicts efficient routes, and tracks deliveries in real time, all of which was previously managed manually by IKEA teams.

Beyond speed, this will offer IKEA more flexible delivery slots, better live tracking, and a smoother experience for customers. The AI-powered technology will first roll out in the U.S. and U.K., before expanding globally.

Locus will continue operating independently, serving its existing global clients while working closely with IKEA.

This follows Ingka’s earlier tech-focused acquisitions, like Made4net for warehouse management and TaskRabbit for on-demand furniture assembly to strengthen every stage of the customer journey.

The acquisition comes as online sales hit 28% of IKEA’s global retail revenue, up from just 11% in 2019.

Clearly, IKEA’s focus isn’t just on selling more furniture, but about transforming how its products reach customers in a digital-first shopping world.
 

Why Did IKEA Make This Move?

IKEA has long relied on third-party logistics partners, and by acquiring Locus, it’s bringing that control in-house.

As delivery expectations rise, having AI tools that predict routes, optimize capacity, and reduce delays is key to staying competitive now and for the future.

The estimated €100 million annual savings will help IKEA manage global supply chain pressures while keeping prices stable for customers. Plus, smarter scheduling, real-time updates, and flexible options mean happier customers and fewer delivery hiccups.

Efficient route planning will mean fewer miles traveled and lower emissions, strengthening IKEA’s sustainability goals.
 

What Did The Stakeholders Say?

Tolga Öncü, Head of IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) stated, “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our commitment to improving the customer journey at every touchpoint. By bringing Locus’s technology in-house, we can deliver with greater speed and flexibility to the many.”

Parag Parekh, Global Chief Digital Officer, IKEA Retail, said “Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many—and that includes delivering products when and how customers want them. This acquisition strengthens our digital capabilities to meet that goal.”

Nishith Rastogi, CEO & Founder, Locus, mentioned “Joining the IKEA family marks a historic milestone. This partnership preserves our independence while unlocking global scale and resources to drive innovation and impact for years to come.”

As IKEA fine-tunes its global logistics game, another retail titan is making waves on the consumer front—this time, it’s Amazon simplifying the shopping experience like never before.
 

What Is Amazon’s New Feature?

Amazon has launched a new “Add to Delivery” feature for Prime members, letting them add eligible items to existing upcoming orders with just one tap.


It’s completely free to use—no additional fees or minimums—and available via the Amazon app or mobile website.

Once a shopper taps “Add to Delivery,” the item gets bundled into their next delivery automatically. They can also choose to remove it by tapping “Undo.”

The feature started rolling out in August and has already been used over 50 million times, according to Amazon’s Worldwide Stores CEO Doug Herrington.

The idea is simple: to make online shopping feel more natural and flexible. Shoppers might forget something, and instead of creating a new order, they can add it to the basket without starting over.

Competitors like Walmart and Target offer similar options, but Amazon’s one-click version takes it up a notch in terms of convenience.

It’s another step in Amazon’s push to make deliveries faster and shopping more efficient, especially as it expands same-day and next-day services to thousands of smaller towns and rural areas.
 

How Will These Moves Benefit Consumers?

IKEA's acquisition isn’t just about faster furniture delivery, but redefining customer experiences based on emerging demands. With AI-powered logistics and tighter control over fulfillment, IKEA can compete with other e-commerce players in terms of speed, cost, and personalization.

Amazon's new one-tap function may seem like a minor addition, but it’s a friction killer. Removing the small annoyances in the shopping experience can dramatically boost sales, order frequency, and customer satisfaction.

Together, these updates signal the next phase of online and retail shopping—where logistics is as much about technology and data as it is about trucks and warehouses. Whether it’s buying a couch or a coffee mug, the goal is the same: to make shopping seamless, smart, and speedy.

Do you think IKEA’s AI-powered logistics will help it rival Amazon-style e-commerce? Or will Amazon’s one-tap convenience set a new standard for online shoppers everywhere?

Let us know in the comments below!