With the world gradually returning to something resembling pre-crisis normality, consumers have continued to spend money on their homes.

IKEA, the world's biggest furniture brand, reported record annual retail sales on Thursday (October 14).

That's despite global supply chain disruptions.

Sales of products and services at all IKEA stores and online totalled 41.9 billion euros, or $48.7 billion.

That was up 6% from the previous fiscal year, and up 1% from pre-crisis 2019.

E-commerce for the year to August grew by 73%.

It accounted for over a quarter of total retail sales.

Main franchisee Ingka Group, which owns the bulk of stores and the e-commerce operations, said separately its retail sales rose 6%.

That put it back above pre-crisis levels.