You before said it was based on the stuff that is used for college dorms, so I gathered he was looking at similar offerings as in other stores but just assumed it to be smaller because of some Ikea-specific reasons instead, so he then had to make up a suitable reason.

But on the other hand, perhaps he knew that College dorms are not a thing in Europe and had to find a reason the Ikea sold small furniture regardless of this.
In that case his remark wouldn't have been stupid at all but a valid speculative thought process based on deeper cultural knowledge.

Who knows...