IKEA Korea, the home furnishing retailer, is running its 'Face the Gap (#facethegap)' campaign for a more inclusive society through August 31.
'Face the Gap' is a global campaign aimed at closing the 'inclusion gap' — the feeling, especially among younger generations, that many people still are not recognized for their identity and feel excluded in their local communities and workplaces.
According to a global inclusion survey conducted last year among employees by Ingka Group — which operates IKEA retail in 31 countries worldwide, including Korea — the majority of LGBTQ+ employees responded that they can comfortably be themselves at IKEA. On the other hand, 38% said they still feel as though they should hide or not reveal their identity. Based on these findings, Ingka Group organized this campaign to encourage more people to narrow the gap between the ideal and reality and to drive change toward an inclusive society.
Through August 31, a variety of events conveying messages about an inclusive society will take place at all IKEA Korea stores (Gwangmyeong, Goyang, Giheung, and Dongbusan). Anyone who takes a photo at a photo zone decorated with rainbow graphics symbolizing diversity and posts it on their personal social media with the hashtag will have a chance to win prizes such as a rainbow-colored 'STORSTOMMA' bag through a drawing. At the restaurant and café, visitors can enjoy rainbow cake and rainbow lollipops.