Ikea to Test Online Buyback Service for Second-Hand Furniture

Ikea, as a retailer currently offering in-store buyback services, will begin testing an online buyback service for second-hand furniture in Spain and Portugal this year. If successful, there are plans to implement this service in the United Kingdom as well. The company predicts that second-hand products will account for 16% of the UK home goods market next year.

The new online platform aims to reach a wider audience, although it shares similarities with Ikea’s existing in-store buyback system. Through this platform, customers will be able to buy and sell second-hand Ikea products locally, provided they are members of Ikea’s loyalty program. Initially free, this service is expected to implement a "buyer protection fee" of about 5% of the product price in the future.

Greg Lucas, Ikea’s sustainability manager for the UK and Ireland, stated that the second-hand market has grown and has now become an important market. Lucas said, “Second-hand shopping has now gone mainstream. People are considering second-hand furniture alongside new products when furnishing their homes.” By 2025, 63% of consumers in the UK are expected to prefer purchasing products through resale platforms, up from 51% in 2024.

The second-hand product market in the UK is reported to have reached a value of over £4.5 billion and is growing at an annual rate of 6.5%. Ikea is facilitating the sale of second-hand products by pre-filling product descriptions and offering price suggestions to make it easier for users. Additionally, it is stated that sellers can receive 15% more than the sale price if they sell their products with an Ikea gift card. These changes are seen as part of making buyers of all age groups more open to considering second-hand products.