Sixty-Nine Lucky IKEA Customers Across the U.S. Will Race the Clock to Find a Rock

Furniture World News

This Valentine's Day, forget the sappy cards, long-stem roses and nougat-filled candy. IKEA has whipped up a competition that will send hearts aflutter (and thousands scrambling) from coast to coast over something completely different - their kitchens! The leading home furnishings retailer is enticing customers to fall in love with IKEA kitchens by hiding a grand total of 23 diamond rings in kitchen settings at 23 of their U.S. store locations. And, if the thrill of the diamond hunt isn't enough to woo customers' affections, IKEA is sweetening the pot by offering $500 and $250 IKEA Gift Cards along with the ultimate gem, $10,000 toward an all-new, complete IKEA kitchen. "What would really make most women happier, a diamond ring, or an all-new, beautiful, easy-to-cook-in, fun-to-live-in IKEA kitchen? We're giving customers a chance to win both, but we think the IKEA kitchen, a cook's best friend, will really win everyone's hearts," said Wendy Clark, commercial public relations manager, IKEA. "IKEA knows that a new kitchen could help spread the love all year 'round. According to an IKEA survey, conducted by the Gallup International Association, happiness with spouse and family is correlated closely to satisfaction with the kitchen. On Valentine's Day, give the one you love most two gifts she'll truly love for years to come." What the "Fall-in-Love-with-IKEA-Kitchens" event boils down to: - Iron Chef Meets Iron Man (or Woman)! Three lucky contestants at each participating store* will be randomly drawn to compete against one another - and the clock - in a pulse-quickening search for a diamond ring in an IKEA kitchen room setting. (You must arrive by 9:00 AM** on February 14 to be eligible.) -"Beat" the Clock and Keep the Rock! The contestant who finds the ring in the shortest amount of time in each store wins (maximum time limit is five minutes). -Didn't Win the Ice? Gift Cards are Nice! Second- and third-place contestants in each store will receive $500 (2nd) and $250 (3rd) IKEA Gift Cards. There are plenty of other chances to win on Valentine's Day: -Turn Your "Diamond-in-the-Rough" Into a Real Gem - Contestants in the diamond ring search, along with all visitors to U.S. IKEA stores* between February 7 and February 28, can enter to win $10,000 toward an IKEA kitchen. The winner will be announced on or around March 7. - You Don't Have to be Lucky in Love to Come Away with a Sweetheart - The first 25 customers in line at each IKEA store** by 9:00 AM on February 14 will each receive a FAMNIG HJARTA heart-shaped pillow. - Too Many Cooks...No Such Thing! The first 100 customers in line dressed as a "Swedish Chef" at each IKEA store** by 9:00 AM on February 14 will each receive an IKEA apron. The "Fall-in-Love-with-IKEA-Kitchens" event is being conducted this Valentine's Day because IKEA believes the kitchen is truly the "heart" of the home. IKEA hopes guests will be dazzled by both the diamonds and the quality and values of its kitchens. The lucky winner of the $10,000 prize will find herself with EVERYTHING she needs to create the fun, functional and fashionable kitchen of her dreams (including the kitchen sink!). From flooring and fixtures to forks and 'fridges, cabinets and countertops to cups and cutting boards, dishwashers and drawers to dishtowels and dining room tables, IKEA is the one place that has everything you need for a complete kitchen, with prices starting as low as $5,000. Eager do-it-yourselfers can bring home a kitchen the very same day and those who need extra assistance can get it easily with free, 3D planning tools, delivery, assembly and expert installation services. For details, please visit the IKEA Web site at http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/complete_kitchen_guide/kitchen_guide/inde x.html