Migrant influx sparks run on Ikea beds in Germany, Sweden

Several Ikea stores in Germany and Sweden have run out of beds and mattresses due to a surge in demand caused by the influx of migrants, the Swedish furniture chain said Friday.

"There is some shortage in several stores in Germany and Sweden due to the refugee situation in Europe," a spokeswoman for the Swedish group, Josefin Thorell, told AFP.

"In normal times we have shortages now and then, but it's not dramatic. It's just happening a bit more now," she said.

Ikea did not give a figure for the number of stores affected, saying its stocks levels tended to fluctuate quickly.

"We're trying to talk with our suppliers about speeding up deliveries," Daniela Rogosic, a spokeswoman for Ikea Sweden, said.

Germany and Sweden are among the top destinations of the migrants streaming into Europe to escape conflict and hardship in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

On Thursday, Sweden said it could no longer guarantee a roof for all the newcomers.

Germany is the biggest market of Ikea, the world's biggest furniture retailer.