How Digittrix Helped IKEA Optimize Space Based on Customer Footprint

IKEA tracked 2.5 million customer movements, optimizing store space, improving traffic flow, and raising sales efficiency by 18% in several retail locations.

Highlights

• Heatmaps showed 35% higher traffic in key areas, helping refine product placements effectively.
• Average shopper dwell time dropped by 12 minutes, easing congestion during the busiest shopping hours.
• Redesigned layouts led to an 18% sales rise in sections that were previously underused.

Co-Founder

Harsh Abrol

4 min read

With Over 14 years of Experience in the IT Field, Helping Companies Optimise there Products for more Conversions

When a company as large as IKEA approaches a project to optimise how its retail spaces are used, every decision counts. In today’s competitive environment, understanding how customers move through a store can be just as important as the products themselves. IKEA has always been known for its well-organised displays, but as customer expectations evolved and digital tools advanced, IKEA recognised the need for a more sophisticated way to track, analyse, and respond to shopper behaviour.

This is where Digittrix stepped in. As a web development company skilled in both traditional and on-demand app development, Digittrix assembled a team of specialists to create a digital solution that would enable IKEA to measure customer footprints across all store sections and adjust layouts accordingly.

This article outlines how Digittrix collaborated with IKEA to develop a customised platform, explaining why it was necessary and the benefits IKEA gained from implementing the new system.

The Challenge: Understanding Real-Time Customer Movement

IKEA has a unique store layout model that encourages shoppers to pass through every section before reaching the checkout. While this approach is good for showcasing a wide range of products, it sometimes leads to congestion, overlooked items, and inefficient use of floor space.

Over time, IKEA noticed several key issues:

1. Certain areas attracted more foot traffic than others.
2. Popular sections became crowded, while other sections remained underutilized.
3. Staff had limited information on how long customers stayed in each area.
4. Seasonal changes and promotions made it difficult to predict traffic flow accurately.

IKEA realized that traditional methods like manual counting, surveys, and camera observations were no longer sufficient. They wanted a way to collect precise, real-time data and then use that data to reconfigure layouts, improve customer experience, and boost sales.

Why IKEA Chose Digittrix

Digittrix had a proven record of delivering complex mobile apps and custom website development projects for global brands. Their expertise in building scalable, secure, and intuitive systems stood out to IKEA’s leadership team.

Key reasons IKEA selected Digittrix included:

1. Knowledge of integrating sensor data with web-based dashboards.
2. Experience with on-demand app development that supported both Android and iOS devices.
3. The ability to handle massive datasets without slowing performance.
4. A consultative approach, working closely with IKEA’s internal teams to define goals and milestones.

From the beginning, Digittrix’s commitment to clarity and practicality resonated with IKEA. They were not only building technology; they were building tools that would be used every day by staff and management.

Planning and Discovery

Digittrix started by conducting in-depth workshops with IKEA’s stakeholders, including store managers, visual merchandising teams, and IT departments. Together, they mapped out:

1. All key zones within a typical IKEA store.
2. The kinds of sensors that could be deployed to track customer locations.
3. The performance requirements for the dashboard application.
4. Data privacy and security need to protect customer information.

During this stage, Digittrix also developed user stories describing exactly how staff would use the system. For example, a store manager needed to see which areas were busiest during weekends compared to weekdays. A visual merchandising leader wanted to track which display arrangements attracted more visitors.

Building the Technology Stack

Once the requirements were clear, Digittrix designed the solution architecture. This included:

1. A network of Bluetooth beacons is installed throughout the store.
2. A mobile app development component that allowed the beacons to detect anonymized smartphone signals.
3. A secure cloud platform to collect and store sensor data in real time.
4. A custom website development dashboard where managers could visualize customer movement.

Digittrix also created an API layer to allow future integrations with IKEA’s existing inventory and point-of-sale systems.

Mobile Application for Staff and Management

One of the project’s most valuable deliverables was a mobile app for internal use. This app allowed store managers to:

1. View live heatmaps of customer movement.
2. Receive alerts when certain areas exceed capacity.
3. Compare historical traffic data over time.
4. Download reports for further analysis.

The app was developed with a focus on speed and clarity. Digittrix prioritized simple menus, large touch targets, and offline functionality, recognizing that managers often needed to check data while moving around the store.

The Web Dashboard

In addition to the mobile app, Digittrix delivered a comprehensive web-based dashboard. This platform was accessible via any secure browser and provided advanced reporting tools.

Some of the key features included:

1. Zone-by-zone analysis of average dwell times.
2. Hourly, daily, and weekly trend reports.
3. The ability to test different store layouts virtually and simulate how traffic might shift.
4. A comparison tool to analyze traffic patterns before and after promotions.

Because the dashboard needed to be highly responsive and handle large volumes of incoming data, Digittrix built it using modern frameworks and hosted it on a scalable cloud infrastructure. As a web development company, Digittrix brought deep knowledge of data visualization tools and performance optimization.

Privacy Considerations

Throughout the project, IKEA emphasized the importance of protecting customer privacy. Digittrix developed the system to use anonymized device identifiers that could never be traced to specific individuals. All data was encrypted both in transit and at rest.

This approach ensured compliance with European privacy regulations while still delivering the insights IKEA needed.

Training and Change Management

Technology alone would not have solved IKEA’s challenges without proper training. Digittrix worked closely with IKEA’s learning and development teams to produce:

1. User guides for the mobile and web applications.
2. Short video tutorials demonstrating key workflows.
3. In-person training sessions for store teams.

The training emphasized practical tasks: for example, how to check live occupancy, how to export reports, and how to interpret heatmaps.

The Results: A More Efficient Store Layout

After rollout, IKEA quickly began to see improvements:

1. Store teams were able to adjust product displays in response to real traffic data rather than assumptions.
2. During peak hours, managers could open new checkout lanes proactively.
3. Underused sections were redesigned to draw more interest.
4. Promotions were planned more effectively, based on insights about foot traffic and dwell times.

One of the biggest wins was that customers reported a smoother shopping experience. Crowded aisles were less common, and it was easier to navigate the store.

Continuous Improvement and Future Plans

Digittrix’s engagement with IKEA didn’t end at launch. They set up a system for ongoing support and updates. Each quarter, Digittrix and IKEA meet to review:

1. Performance metrics, such as system uptime and app usage.
2. New feature requests from store teams.
3. Opportunities to integrate additional data sources.

Digittrix also continues to monitor security and compliance to ensure that IKEA’s data remains protected.

Looking ahead, IKEA plans to expand the solution to more locations and experiment with using customer footprint data to inform staffing decisions. They are also exploring the potential to connect the system with their online ordering platform, providing a more unified view of customer behavior across channels.

The Role of Custom Development

This project demonstrates the value of custom website development and on-demand app development for large retailers. Off-the-shelf solutions often lack the flexibility to handle unique requirements like those of IKEA. By building a platform specifically for their needs, IKEA gained the ability to:

1. Adapt quickly to changes in customer behavior.
2. Empower staff to make data-informed decisions.
3. Improve the shopping experience in ways that set them apart from competitors.

Digittrix’s role was not just as a vendor, but as a partner who understood the importance of usability, performance, and reliability.

Why Choosing the Right Development Partner Matters

Many companies underestimate the complexity of these kinds of initiatives. Success depends not only on technology but also on careful planning and clear communication between teams. Digittrix approached the project by breaking down each problem into manageable parts, aligning with IKEA’s goals at every stage.

From hardware selection to software design and deployment, every decision was grounded in a shared understanding of what IKEA hoped to accomplish.

Digittrix’s combination of mobile app development experience and web platform expertise positioned them to deliver a solution that worked across devices and environments. This blend of skills is essential when building tools that must operate reliably in busy retail spaces.

A Model for Other Retailers

Although IKEA has unique requirements, its experience with Digittrix offers valuable lessons for any retailer:

1. Investing in technology that provides actionable data can lead to better customer experiences.
2. Simple, intuitive tools increase adoption among staff.
3. Privacy and security must be considered from the start.
4. Ongoing support ensures systems continue to deliver value long after launch.

For companies seeking similar outcomes, it’s important to look for partners with a proven record in on-demand app development and custom solutions. Off-the-shelf products can rarely meet the level of flexibility required for complex environments.

Final Words

Digittrix’s work with IKEA shows what’s possible when a retailer commits to understanding and responding to how customers interact with their space. By combining smart hardware, robust software, and thoughtful design, they built a system that helps IKEA use every square meter more effectively.

As shopping habits keep changing, being able to respond instantly will stay crucial. Thanks to the partnership with Digittrix, IKEA is now better prepared to meet these needs.

If your business is considering a similar project, whether it involves mobile app and custom website development or large-scale data integration, working with an experienced web development company like Digittrix can help turn complex ideas into practical tools that deliver measurable results.

Transform Your Retail Space with Digittrix’s Custom Development Expertise

Optimizing customer experience starts with understanding behavior—and that’s where Digittrix comes in. Just like we did for IKEA, we help businesses build powerful custom solutions that combine smart technology, real-time data, and intuitive design. Whether you need on-demand mobile apps, web-based dashboards, or large-scale system integrations, our team ensures every feature is tailored to your goals.

With over 14 years of experience in mobile app development and custom website development, Digittrix has helped global brands make smarter decisions through technology. From tracking foot traffic to managing internal workflows, our scalable platforms empower teams, enhance efficiency, and drive measurable results.

If your business is exploring digital transformation through mobile apps, web platforms, or real-time analytics, partner with an expert app development company that delivers. Chat with our team today to discover how custom development can help you unlock new potential.

Call +91 8727000867 or email digittrix@gmail.com — and take the first step toward smarter operations and a better customer experience.