Swedish furniture giant IKEA is set to revolutionize the concept of remote work by venturing into the virtual world of gaming. In an unprecedented move, the company is seeking to recruit 10 real-life staff members to operate its upcoming Roblox virtual store, slated to open its digital doors on June 24. This marks IKEA’s groundbreaking foray into mainstream gaming, positioning itself as the first brand to offer paid employment within the Roblox platform.
The initiative, titled “The Co-Worker Game,” aims to blur the lines between reality and virtuality, providing individuals with an immersive experience within the world of IKEA. Applicants, aged 18 and above, residing in the United Kingdom or Ireland, are invited to join the digital workforce. Successful candidates will assume various roles within the virtual store, assisting customers in selecting furniture and serving digital renditions of IKEA’s famed meatballs.
In a departure from traditional recruitment processes, applicants are encouraged to consider hypothetical scenarios, such as envisioning themselves as pixelated entities and strategizing responses to situations like the store running out of virtual hotdogs. Additionally, candidates are prompted to reflect on their virtual identity, contemplating which IKEA furniture item they would embody and why.
These virtual employees will receive compensation at a rate mirroring that of their real-life counterparts, earning £13.15 ($16.82) per hour, equivalent to the typical wage of an IKEA employee in London. This salary surpasses the US federal minimum wage, reflecting IKEA’s commitment to fair compensation even within the virtual realm.
Collaborating alongside these paid staff members will be unpaid Roblox players, afforded the opportunity to engage with customers, explore showrooms, ascend through ranks, and utilize IKEA products to curate their virtual spaces. Roblox, a popular gaming platform known for its user-generated content and social networking features, boasts a significant youth demographic, with approximately half of US adolescents aged 12 to 17 accessing the platform monthly.
IKEA’s venture into the virtual realm follows in the footsteps of other retail giants like Walmart, who have previously established a presence within Roblox. While IKEA’s Roblox store promises an immersive experience, it remains unclear whether users will have the option to purchase real IKEA products through the virtual platform.
News of IKEA’s unconventional job listing has sparked widespread interest on social media platforms, with eager applicants expressing their enthusiasm through memes and videos. As anticipation mounts, American users on TikTok have begun preparations, anticipating the potential expansion of IKEA’s virtual workforce to include the United States.
With its innovative approach to remote work and digital engagement, IKEA is poised to redefine the boundaries of virtual commerce and employment. By embracing the virtual realm of gaming, the Swedish retail giant is not only offering a glimpse into the future of retail but also opening doors to a new era of interactive consumer experiences.
As the June 24 launch date approaches, all eyes are on IKEA’s Roblox store, eager to witness the convergence of reality and virtuality within the realm of home furnishings and meatball servings.
