IKEA launches second-hand marketplace as 93% of Irish adults say they shop second-hand

The platform allows customers to buy and sell pre-owned furniture.

The platform will allow customers a convenient and free way to buy and sell pre-owned furniture directly with one another, for prices, on average, 60% cheaper than brand new items.

IKEA Family members will be able to list eligible IKEA home furnishing products, excluding mattresses, appliances and food.

Users can upload items for sale by scanning them, after which the marketplace will fill in key listing details, including a suggested price (which will be percentage of the original cost and adjusted based on the item's condition), images, dimensions and guidance on assembly and upkeep. Alternatively, sellers can also choose to set their own price.

Once a sale is completed, sellers can choose between receiving the money directly or taking an IKEA digital refund card with an additional 15% added.

The new service builds on IKEA’s Buy Back scheme, introduced in 2021, which allows customers to return eligible items to the retailer in exchange for store credit.

Greg Lucas, Sustainability Manager, IKEA UK & Ireland commented on the platform: “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.

"Our research found that 42% of adults in Ireland would find pre-owned furniture with a personal history or story more desirable than buying new."

He added: "IKEA products are designed to be used, maintained and enjoyed over time, and the second-hand marketplace, as well as our instore buy back service gives people a straightforward way to pass on items as their needs change, with useful information to support them as they buy and sell.”

The cost-of-living crisis is another driver behind this introduction, with this being described as 'another step in IKEA's commitment to affordability'.

Emily Birkin, Development & Transformation Manager, Ingka Group, IKEA's largest retailer, said: “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 affordable IKEA products, while giving customers a simple way to pass on items they no longer need.”

The move follows the growth of second-hand and refurbished retail, with Vinted now offering appliances and retailers including John Lewis and Currys also selling pre-owned products through their own platforms.