Why is half the stuff on Ikea's website not available for online purchases?

Question

Someone told me they bought something at Ikea. I went online (since I dont live by one) and found a few items, but noticed that more than half of them are not available for online purchases...why? whats the point of having an online store, if you are only showing what you can buy in SOME cities?

Answer 1

They figure they can sell you more if you have to walk through the store and see all the stuff they have carefully arranged.

Marketing gimmick - and it works for them!