INTRODUCING A BEAR THAT GIVES A LOT MORE THAN A HUG
IKEA Helps Support UNICEF's Play Based Programs For Children

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA (July 21, 2003) — IKEA, the leading home furnishings retailer, and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today the introduction of a new promotion, which celebrates the importance of playtime in a child's life and demonstrates how a teddy bear can help make a big "bear hug" of a difference.

IKEA stores around the globe are donating $2.00 from the sale of each $6.99 BRUM soft toy teddy bear — perfect for hugging — to benefit children living in Angola and Uganda. IKEA, together with its shoppers, expects to raise $400,000, which will support UNICEF's "Children's Right to Play," crucial outreach programs for children in need. IKEA shoppers can support this worthwhile cause through August 2004 and can bring a smile to the faces of the children in their lives, as well as help improve the lives of other children, with each purchase of the new IKEA BRUM teddy bear.

"A teddy bear is a symbol for playfulness and security, and through the sale of the IKEA BRUM teddy bear we can help play a positive role in the lives of many children, making it possible for them to be exposed to constructive, healthy, and fun play-oriented activities through UNICEF's valuable programs," said John Zurcher, Environment and Social Responsibility Manager, IKEA U.S. "At IKEA we know how important it is to enable children all over the world to grow up in a carefree and nurturing environment."

In Angola, UNICEF's work includes programs that target the estimated 1.3 million children who are not in school. The new funds from IKEA will help UNICEF reach 80,000 street children and provide them with basic learning opportunities through play.

The IKEA contribution will also support UNICEF programs in Uganda, where civil conflict has torn at the fabric of life for almost two decades. UNICEF uses play-based programs to teach at-risk adolescents about the threat of HIV/AIDS.

"Millions of children in the world are denied play and never experience this vital aspect of their development because of war, disease, and poverty," said Charles J. Lyons, President, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We are grateful to IKEA for its ongoing support to help children reclaim their childhoods through playing and learning."

Created by IKEA designers Ivar Ledang and Nanna Ivarsson, the IKEA soft toy BRUM teddy bear is part of the new IKEA PS collection for children, which is available for purchase at IKEA stores, as well as via the IKEA catalog by calling 1-800-434-4532. The IKEA BRUM bear has flexible arms and legs that bring the cute playfellow to life. A child can use his or her imagination to make the bear sit, stand, walk, wave, nod, take a nap, or give a big bear hug.

IKEA has supported UNICEF programs around the world for more than ten years, and in the United States alone IKEA has raised more than $1.75 million to benefit UNICEF programs for children.

Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has more than 180 stores in 31 countries, including 17 stores in the United States and ten stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.ikea-usa.com.

Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. For more information, please call 1-800-FOR-KIDS, or visit www.unicefusa.org.

Editor's Note: Photography of the IKEA BRUM teddy bear is available electronically.

For further information, please contact:
Julie Lin, Jericho Communications, (212) 645-6900 x145.
Marissa Buckanoff, U.S. Fund for UNICEF Media, (212) 922-2485.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF works for the survival, protection, and development of children worldwide through education, advocacy, and fundraising. Created in 1947, it is the oldest of 37 national committees around the world that support UNICEF's mission.