Vibrant rainbow bags will be hitting Ikea’s Richmond and Coquitlam floors July 27, just in time to celebrate Pride.
The bag, created for Pride 2019, is the first Ikea product inspired by Pride celebrations, according to Kristin Newbigging, Ikea Canada’s spokesperson.
The Kvanting rainbow bag – designed by Mathias Karlsson, a sales leader at Ikea’s service office in Burlington, ON. – first launched in Toronto in June.
The bag costs $1.49, and 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to Pflag, a Canadian organization that offers peer-to-peer support for issues of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
“Ikea is unwavering in our commitment to the LGBTQS2 community and to standing up for the rights of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities,” said Newbigging, adding that it was important for Ikea Canada to ensure that the proceeds would benefit “a meaningful Canadian organization with a connection to Pride and the LGBTQS2 community.”
Last year, said Newbigging, Ikea staff marched in Toronto Pride for the first time, which inspired Karlsson to create the bag. To date, she added, over 400 Ikea employees have marched in Canadian Pride celebrations.
“We are proud to bring the excitement of Pride to even more co-workers and marches this year,” said Newbigging.
Earlier this month Ikea raised the Pride flag at all stores across Canada in support of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
