Ikea has launched a second-hand marketplace in the UK, allowing customers to buy and sell pre-owned items directly with one another. The Swedish furniture giant's dedicated platform puts it in competition with the likes of Vinted, Depop and eBay.
Customers will be able to buy and sell second-hand Ikea items locally, with the exception of mattresses, appliances and food. Launching the service, a spokesperson for Ikea said prices will average 60% lower than new items.
How the service works
Customers will need to be members of the firm's loyalty scheme, Ikea Family, to list home furnishing products for sale. Sellers will be required to scan an eligible item to create a listing, with the platform automatically providing recommended pricing, professional product photography, accurate measurements, product descriptions, assembly instructions and care information.
The price recommendation for pre-owned items is a percentage of the original cost and adjusted based on the item's condition, although sellers can set their own amount. Sellers can also receive their proceeds in cash or as an Ikea gift card, which will come with a 15% top-up.
Buyers' benefits and fees
The platform will also allow buyers to order new spare parts for free, such as restraint brackets to secure furniture to walls. Ikea said the platform's Buyers Protection Fee will be free at launch, but added it would be "clear and transparent when that changes and it represents a cost to customers".
The platform is an extension of Ikea's Buy Back scheme launched in 2021 to enable customers to sell certain products back to the retailer in exchange for store credit. Ikea will trial the integration of Buy Back into the platform in Spain and Portugal in late December.
Retailer's perspective
Greg Lucas, sustainability manager at Ikea UK and Ireland, 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."
He added: "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."
Vinted has expanded from fashion to also sell electronics and homeware in recent years, while other retailers such as John Lewis and Currys also sell pre-owned and refurbished products through their platforms. The Ikea second-hand marketplace can be accessed here.
