IKEA Launches World Data Games Week: A Celebration of Data Literacy and Innovation

A Week of Learning 

The week kicks off with an opening ceremony on Monday, setting the stage for a series of engaging activities. During the week, participants will dive into many challenges, including how to reduce food waste, CO2 reduction, and the refugee crisis initiatives, culminating in a grand closing ceremony and awards ceremony, with a top award for best performing teams. key objectives to be reached during the event include:  

• Facilitate Data Access – The event promotes data democratisation by encouraging collaboration.  
• Practical Expertise – Participants will gain hands-on experience in data visualization and analysis, from creating PowerBI dashboards to leveraging Copilot capabilities. 
• Exploration Through Competition – The ability to drive participants to uncover data potential. 
• Flexibility and Agility – Exploring themes from food to climate issues. 
• Social Impact – The data sets are looking to be impactful to real world challenges.  

Collaborative Challenges for Many 

Each participant will join one day of the competition, and be part of a multidisciplinary team, comprising of members in the areas of sales, logistics, design, product, and communications. The goal is to work across various locations, with different skillsets and backgrounds, to tackle one single challenge. Mentors from the Data & Analytics teams will be available to provide insights and support throughout the event. Imagine a sales co-worker from the UK teaming up with a UX Designer in Madrid and a Fulfillment Specialist in Finland, all working towards one single data-driven solution? The event is part of a wider one IKEA spirit and initiative to foster meaningful connections and relationships throughout the organisation.  

Empowering Co-Workers Through Data 

According to Francesco Marzoni, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at IKEA Retail, “At the heart of IKEA, World Data Games is the company’s commitment to boosting data literacy and practical data skills amongst the many”. By engaging in a friendly competition, participants will embark on a journey to discover the transformative potential of data, driving impactful insights and fostering innovation across the organisation. As Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) says: ‘’World Data Games is an extraordinary opportunity for us to harness the collective creativity and analytical minds of our co-workers around the globe. The event is not just about competition, it’s about collaboration, innovation and the creation of valuable data insights that can drive real-world solutions.’’ Through shared learning experiences, participants will empower each other, fostering a culture of continuous collaboration and knowledge sharing within IKEA. Together we will harness the power of data to drive meaningful change and create a better future for all.