IKEA launches second-hand marketplace – you could save MORE THAN HALF on your favourite items
IKEA has launched its very own second-hand marketplace for its furniture and homewares.
Taking on the likes of eBay, Vinted and Facebook, the Swedish retail giant has said it will give people a simple way to buy and sell pre-owned IKEA products, and help others discover items, including those that may no longer be available in store.
The launch complements the retailer's current in-store Buyback & Resell service, which was introduced in 2021, but now people can sell directly to each other.
The online selling site has already been trialled in Spain and Norway, with great success. Bestsellers include the Kallax shelving system and Malm chest of drawers.
With prices on average 60% lower than new items, it’s a great option for anyone after a homeware bargain.
Members of IKEA’s loyalty scheme IKEA Family will be able to sell home furnishing products on the site, with the exception of mattresses, appliances and food.
Sellers can scan an eligible item to create a listing, making it easier to pass on furniture they no longer need. And unlike a lot of other selling sites, this one does most of the hard work for you.
It provides professional product photography and accurate measurements to help sellers prepare their listings. Each listing also conveniently includes product descriptions, assembly instructions and care information, giving prospective buyers useful details before they make contact.
Sellers can receive their payment in cash or opt for an IKEA digital refund card with a 15% bonus attached.
The UK service will be free initially, but a ‘buyer protection fee’, of around 5% of the purchase price, will be applied from 1 January 2027.
For the time being, buyers and sellers will liaise directly to arrange delivery, but IKEA says it is exploring ways to make this easier in the future.
“At IKEA, our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people, and that means making well-designed, functional home furnishing more accessible at different stages of life and across different budgets. The second-hand marketplace is another way we can help more people access IKEA products at affordable prices, while giving customers a simple way to pass on items they no longer need,” said development and transformation manager, Emily Birkin.
The launch comes as consumers are increasingly embracing second-hand shopping. 63% of UK shoppers bought through reselling platforms last year, with furniture one of the most popular categories.
Whether it’s to stretch the budget or to find unique, distinctive pieces with character, the second-hand home market is set to grow to £6.1 billion by 2027.
Sustainability manager Greg Lucas said: “The way people furnish their homes has changed. Whether they are moving, redecorating or looking for a particular piece, more customers are considering pre-owned furniture alongside new and are actively searching for items that can help create a home that feels personal to them.
“IKEA products are designed to be used, maintained and enjoyed over time, and the second-hand marketplace, as well as our in-store Buyback service, gives people a straightforward way to pass on items as their needs change, with the practical information they need to buy and sell with confidence.”
IKEA’s move into the second-hand market is also part of its pledge to become ‘climate positive’ by 2030, including an aim to make all products from renewable, recyclable and recycled materials.
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