15.12°C Vancouver

Sep 14, 2020 10:24 PM -

Office furniture shortages loom as Canadians stay home this fall

Share On
office-furniture-shortages-loom-as-canadians-stay-home-this-fall
A sign advertises office space available for rent in Ottawa's downtown core in Ottawa, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. Canadians should brace for a shortage of office furniture, such as desks and chairs, as people continue to study and work from home this fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canadians should brace for a shortage of office furniture, such as desks and chairs, as people continue to study and work from home this fall.

Ikea Canada spokeswoman Kristin Newbigging says the company has seen an increase in demand for office furnishings and other gear needed for work-from-home setups.

This comes as a looming second wave of COVID-19 means many Canadians are not returning to the office or school just yet.

At the same time, she says the company is experiencing the impacts of overseas suppliers still being closed for business, making it hard to meet demand.

And when those suppliers reopen, they are receiving orders significantly above the normal levels of demand.

Ikea has about 1,000 home furnishing suppliers in 50 countries around the globe, with top suppliers in China, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, Sweden and Germany.

Latest news

CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit
bsf-arrests-gunman-of-former-punjab-mla-kulbir-singh-zira-with-opium
IndiaOct 20, 2026

BSF Arrests Gunman of Former Punjab MLA Kulbir Singh Zira With Opium

The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly arrested the gunman of former Punjab Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira with opium in Ferozepur district. Aam Aadmi Party leader Baltej Pannu shared the information on social media. However, the identity of the arrested individual, the quantity of opium seized, and further details about the case have not yet been disclosed.
alberta-referendum-majority-support-immigration-and-constitutional-reform-proposals
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Referendum: Voters Back Several Government Proposals

Preliminary results from Alberta’s referendum on nine questions related to immigration and constitutional reforms show majority support for most of the provincial government’s proposals. About 58.6 per cent of voters supported giving Alberta greater control over immigration. Meanwhile, 57 per cent backed restricting access to services such as health care and education to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while charging temporary residents fees for these services. A total of 58.4 per cent supported requiring temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for
alberta-voters-reject-separation-from-canada-76-vote-to-stay
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Voters Reject Separation from Canada, 76% Vote to Stay

Alberta voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to separate from Canada in a referendum, with preliminary results indicating that approximately 76 per cent voted to remain in the country, while only 24 per cent supported initiating the separation process. Following the historic vote, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked Albertans, describing the result as a victory for a united and strong Canada. Carney said the strong support for remaining in Canada sent a clear message that Albertans had chosen unity, cooperation and standing together as a country. He
abbotsford-double-murder-sentencing-delayed-until-february-2027
BCOct 20, 2026

Abbotsford Double Murder Sentencing Delayed Until February 2027

The sentencing hearing for Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, convicted of the first-degree murders of 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, has been postponed until February 2027. The couple were killed during a home invasion at their Abbotsford residence nearly four years ago. The three men were found guilty of first-degree murder in May, an offence that carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. However, the three convicted men have sought the right to apply for early parole under the Criminal Code’s “faint-h

Related News