America’s Favorite Home Retailer Might Surprise You (No, It’s Not IKEA)

If you had one guess as to America’s favorite home furnishings retailer, what would you pick? If it’s blue and yellow and rhymes with “idea,” then, I’m sorry, you’re wrong. One company eeked out a win over the Swedish retailer, and which one it is might just surprise you.

A study by Market Force Information discovered that Costco ranks top amongst consumers for home furnishings, as reported last week in trade publication Chain Store Age. The warehouse club snagged a composite loyalty score of 72 percent, though IKEA was close behind at 70 percent.

Here is how a few others fared: Target came in third with 68 percent, T.J. Maxx scored 64 percent and Kohl’s 63 percent. TJX’s home specific store, HomeGoods, snagged 62 percent and Bed, Bath & Beyond had 56 percent.

The scores were reached by polling nearly 3,500 consumers, who were asked to rate their satisfaction with their last experience at a home furnishings store and their likelihood to recommend it to others. Market Force Information also analyzed other factors that could affect consumer decisions, such as merchandise and brand selection, cleanliness and value, noted Chain Store Age.

Shoppers gave IKEA the top spot for the most selection and at the best value, while Target scored the highest marks for customer service and speedy checkouts, and Costco was best rated for store associate availability.

When we look at it, it’s not too surprising to see Costco do so well: we’ve been noticing how great their home selection has been lately, both in store and online (where you don’t need a membership)—particularly when it comes to towels and sheets. We even recently reported on an Eames lounge chair (yes, in a Herman Miller box!) at the warehouse retailer.

Target and TJX, it should be noted, are especially consumer focused as of late. The bullseye announced earlier this year that their stores would be getting a shopper inspired makeover, and TJX is bringing their other furnishings focused brand, HomeSense to the US.