The shortcuts are signposted, and maps are available to take with you at the entrance - no other big box store does that, so I doubt it has anything to do with

The shortcuts are signposted, and maps are available to take with you at the entrance - no other big box store does that, so I doubt it has anything to do with fire departments. Impulse buys greatly benefit from immediate commitment, so Ikea does a good job of not having pesky sales assistants everywhere. You have plenty of time to cool off about that silly table till you get to the warehouse.