IKEA FRAKTA bag celebrates 30 years as iconic blue shopping tote

The blue FRAKTA bag, introduced by IKEA on 1 August 1996, turned 30 years old. Originally a large yellow tote designed by Marianne and Knut Hagberg after founder Ingvar Kamprad and assistant Sten Lundén observed shoppers struggling with small plastic baskets, the bag was sold for 19 CZK and holds 71 litres. Its size and durability quickly made it a household staple for everything from laundry to moving boxes.

A 1989 trial of the yellow version in Germany caused checkout chaos, prompting IKEA to launch the blue, purchasable FRAKTA that could be taken home. Over three decades the bag has become known as the “most packed bag in the world” and remains one of IKEA’s most versatile products.