If you’re sourcing black office chairs for resale, distribution, or project supply, you’ve likely compared brands like IKEA and Herman Miller.

But from a wholesale or OEM perspective, the comparison looks very different from a retail buyer’s viewpoint.

Retail buyers focus on design and brand.
Distributors focus on margin, flexibility, and scalability.

That’s where the real difference appears.

Market Positioning: Three Very Different Models

IKEA is a global retail giant.
Herman Miller represents premium, high-end ergonomic branding.
Koho Furniture operates as a professional office chair manufacturer serving B-end partners.

Each model serves a purpose — but not every model fits wholesale growth.

Pricing Structure & Margin Logic

For distributors, pricing flexibility directly determines profitability.

• IKEA operates on fixed retail pricing. There is limited room for margin control if you are reselling.

• Herman Miller chairs carry strong brand premiums. Excellent for image positioning, but difficult for price-sensitive markets.

• Koho offers manufacturer-level wholesale pricing with adjustable tiers based on volume.

This gives partners more freedom to structure their local market strategy.

When you’re managing inventory and forecasting demand, that flexibility matters more than logo recognition.

Customization & OEM Capability

Here’s where the gap becomes more obvious.

IKEA does not offer OEM customization for independent distributors.
Herman Miller has strict brand control with very limited flexibility.

Koho, as a manufacturer, supports:

• Private label branding

• Upholstery material adjustments

• Component specification modification

• Packaging customization

• Bulk project-specific production

For distributors building their own brand presence, this becomes a significant advantage.

Product Focus: Black Office Chair as a Core SKU

Black office chairs are a standard product category across all three brands. But the intent behind them differs.

IKEA focuses on mass-market affordability.
Herman Miller focuses on high-end ergonomic innovation.
Koho focuses on commercial practicality and scalable wholesale supply.

For B-end buyers, that middle ground often performs best.

Direct Comparison Overview

This comparison isn’t about “better” or “worse.” It’s about fit.

Lead Time & Communication

Large global brands operate with layered systems. That means structured processes — but also slower adjustments.

Koho works directly with partners at factory level. Communication flows faster. Production adjustments are more practical.

For project-based buyers, that responsiveness can reduce risk during tight delivery schedules.

When Each Brand Makes Sense

Choose IKEA if:

• You are buying for small-scale retail needs.

• Brand flexibility is not required.

• Volume control is limited.

Choose Herman Miller if:

• You serve premium corporate clients.

• Budget sensitivity is not a concern.

• Brand prestige is central to your positioning.

Choose Koho if:

• You are building a scalable office furniture distribution business.

• You need margin structure flexibility.

• OEM capability matters.

• You want direct manufacturing cooperation.

A Practical Perspective for Distributors

Brand name is important — but sustainable profit structure is more important.

Koho does not compete by marketing hype.
We compete by manufacturing control, pricing flexibility, and cooperation structure.

For many partners, black office chairs become the entry point — and over time, that cooperation expands into a broader office seating line.

Let’s Discuss Your Market Strategy

If you are comparing Koho with IKEA or Herman Miller for distribution purposes, the real question is not “which brand is bigger?”

The real question is:

Which supplier supports your long-term growth model?

Tell us:

• Your region

• Your target client segment

• Expected annual volume

• Whether you require OEM

Koho Furniture is ready to support serious B-end partners with competitive wholesale structure and stable production supply.

Contact us today to receive detailed product information and cooperation terms.