IKEA has announced its intention to buy TaskRabbit, an online market place that connects people with independent contractors. Perfectly in sync with IKEA’s brand of simple, efficient design, the acquisition of TaskRabbit will help householders connect with skilled tradesmen to complete anything from furniture assembly, moving and packing, general handyman work through to home improvements.

The decision to buy 100 per cent of TaskRabbit’s shares was taken after IKEA completed a pilot scheme with TaskRabbit’s Tradesmen or “Taskers” assembling furniture for customers at IKEA stores in London.

Jesper Brodin, President and CEO of the IKEA Group said: “In a fast changing retail environment, we continuously strive to develop new and improved products and services to make our customers’ lives a little bit easier. Entering the on-demand, sharing economy enables us to support that. We will be able to learn from TaskRabbit’s digital expertise, while also providing IKEA customers additional ways to access flexible and affordable service solutions to meet the needs of today’s customer.”

TaskRabbit operates its unique two-sided marketplace with an overall mission to have a presence in in every city and on every device. Taskers are independent contractors who task when they want, where they want and at rates they set. TaskRabbit operates in 40 cities within the United States – and in London – and are planning worldwide expansion.