IKEA PLANS RENT-A-TREE PROMOTION:

Furniture World Magazine

They may not contain any previews, scene-stealing performances or award winning musical scores, but their role in living rooms during the Christmas season is much more important than any video cassette. They are Christmas Trees, and this Winter IKEA is making them available in a manner that is sure to benefit consumers, their communities and the environment... all without any late fees or rewinding charges. From December 4-7, IKEA Home Furnishings will offer consumers the opportunity to rent a Douglas Fir Christmas tree for just $20 through the IKEA ''Rent-A-Tree/ Plant-A-Tree" program. After all presents have been removed from under it and ornaments from on top of it, consumers can return the trees to IKEA on January 10-11, 1998 and have the option of getting back their $10 tree deposit or receiving a $20 coupon toward any IKEA purchase of $100 or more. In addition to the program's consumer benefits, "Rent-A-Tree/Plant-A-Tree" also includes an important environmental element. For every tree returned, IKEA and the National Arbor Day Foundation will plant a new tree in the local community. The program will also provide an environmentally-sound breakdown method, as all returned trees will be turned into mulch and distributed free of charge. Gregg Mowins, spokesperson for IKEA says, "One of IKEA's missions is to provide consumers with holiday solutions... and this program certainly solves the problem of not being able to find a quality Christmas tree at an affordable price. Additionally, by turning the returned trees into mulch and planting new trees in the local community, IKEA is providing solutions to some environmental concerns that surround the holidays.''