FRAKTA Series

The icon that stands firm, for 35 years and counting

After more than 30 years in the IKEA range, it’s one of the most used bags in the world. Today, millions of the tote bags are sold around the world every year, and they often have a long life. No one could have foreseen just how popular it would be – except for Ingvar. But perhaps that’s not so surprising. FRAKTA is based on the same principles that guide all of IKEA – the idea that function, quality, good design and sustainability should not just be for the wealthy.

IKEA-frakta 01

How to carry all this stuff?

The origins of FRAKTA can be traced back to the 1960s, when IKEA started selling more and more small home furnishing products at the new IKEA store in Stockholm, Sweden. Customers had to carry a lot of stuff in their arms, which was heavy, awkward work. Ingvar and Sten noticed that many customers gave up halfway, leaving behind a lot of items they couldn’t be bothered to carry to the checkout.

On a trip to Taiwan, Ingvar Kamprad and Lars Göran found a suitable manufacturer. A Taiwanese factory owner showed the men a sample of polypropylene, a material often used for large rice bags. Ingvar and Lars Göran were keen on the idea, but they wanted to be sure the bag wouldn’t break.

The formidable bag becomes a reality

IKEA discussed everything from the choice of colour to the launch date. Some wanted the bag to be red, but the final decision was bright yellow. The job of designing the future classic went to IKEA designer siblings Marianne Hagberg and Knut Hagberg. And after a year, the sales managers at IKEA decided that the bags would be made in one colour only. Ingvar, Sten and Lars Göran were disappointed, but still glad that the yellow bags were finally going ahead.

In 1989, it was time to test the first batch of yellow bags.But it wasn’t long before there was chaos and confusion at the checkouts. How could staff be sure which bags had been paid for and which hadn’t?

The solution to the checkout chaos was a different coloured bag. And so the blue FRAKTA was born. Only blue FRAKTA bags could be sold, while the yellow ones had to be left in the store. Simpler for everyone. Since then, hundreds of millions of the bags have been made there and by other suppliers.

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