Swedish furniture store Ikea have warned teenagers against having illegal ‘sleepovers’ in their stores, adding that those involved would be prosecuted.
The trend reportedly started after Belgian teenagers Florian Van Hecke and Bram Geirnaert spent the night in an Ikea store, filming their exploits and posting it on YouTube in August.
Since then 10 similar incidents have taken place across the world, the most recent in Ikea’s home of Sweden. The two girls involved in the attempt in Jonkoping were not reported to the police due to their age, with Ikea telling Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet:
“Instead, we have spoken with their parents … to resolve the situation. We hope that this trend will slow. We do not see what it is fun about it.”
Ikea spokeswoman Johanna Iritz reiterated the severity of the stunt, warning that those attempting it would be considered trespassers and would get into trouble with the law.
She said the fun was “overrated” and that Ikea took attempts “seriously”.
Ikea may have inadvertently encouraged the trend after it held an official sleepover in Australia as part of a publicity stunt with Airbnb. Ikea listed one of its Sydney stores on the homesharing website.