Are IKEA Malaysia Prices Really Cheaper Than IKEA Singapore?

In case you haven’t heard, a massive new IKEA store opened in Johor Bahru last year: IKEA Tebrau, to be exact. And of course, Singaporeans are flocking across the Causeway to buy their products, which are reportedly cheaper than they are back home.

But how much cheaper are IKEA Tebrau’s products when compared with their Singaporean counterparts? Let’s compare some of IKEA’s most tried-and-tested buys.

 

IKEA bed: TARVA bed frame, pine, without bed base

IKEA Malaysia price: 349 MYR (115 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 149 SGD

 

IKEA bed: MALM bed frame, high, with 4 storage boxes, white stained oak veneer, Luröy, 150 x 200cm

IKEA Malaysia price: 1,349 MYR (444 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 499 SGD

 

IKEA stool: MAMMUT Children’s stool, dark blue in/outdoor

IKEA Malaysia price: 19.90 MYR (6.55 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 9.90 SGD

 

IKEA shelves: BILLY bookcase, white, 80 x 28 x 202 cm

IKEA Malaysia price: 229 MYR (75 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 79 SGD

 

IKEA lights: HEKTAR floor lamp with 3-spot, grey

IKEA Malaysia price: 249 MYR (82 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 129 SGD

 

IKEA sofa: VIMLE 2-seat sofa, Orrsta golden-yellow

IKEA Malaysia price: 1,940 MYR (638 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 710 SGD

 

IKEA table: MICKE desk, white, 142 x 50cm

IKEA Malaysia price: 349 MYR (115 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 119 SGD

 

IKEA chair: LÅNGFJÄLL swivel chair, gunnared dark grey, white

IKEA Malaysia price: 579 MYR (191 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 189 SGD

 

IKEA table & chairs: INGATORP / INGOLF extendable dining table with 1 extra leaf and 4 chairs, black, brown-black, 155cm

IKEA Malaysia price: 2,170 MYR (714 SGD)

IKEA Singapore price: 799 SGD

 

So, is shopping at IKEA Malaysia really worth the trouble?

As you can see, the price reduction you enjoy by buying in JB isn’t consistent across all products. While the HEKTAR lights are 36% cheaper in JB, you only get a 3% discount by buying the MICKE desk there.

Then there is the added inconvenience of going all the way to JB. IKEA Tebrau is only about 20km away from the Causeway, which, depending on how much traffic there is, could translate to a 20 minute drive — or much longer. If you don’t have a car, you’ll have to go to the trouble of renting/borrowing a vehicle. Remember, unlike in IKEA Singapore, home delivery is not an option.

And of course, if you’re just going to IKEA to buy one tiny vase or cutting board, it’s not worth the effort to go all the way to JB just to save a few bucks. Don’t forget that your cost savings are going to get eroded a bit by currency exchange costs.

Save your trip to IKEA Tebrau for when you’re buying a ton of furniture to (re)decorate your home, so you can buy everything at one shot — and don’t forget to compare prices on the Singapore and Malaysia websites to see how much you could potentially save.

Do you plan to go to IKEA Tebrau in JB? Tell us why or why not in the comments!

Image credits: IKEA