Ikea announced plans to pilot an online version of its furniture buyback program, complementing its existing in-store service. The initial test will run in Spain and Portugal through the end of December, with rollout to the United Kingdom contingent on positive results. The company projects that pre-owned homewares could represent 16% of the UK market by next year.
The buyback initiative comes alongside Ikea’s broader secondhand marketplace, which launched in the UK this week. The marketplace enables members of Ikea’s membership program to buy and sell pre-owned items directly with one another locally. The platform already operates in other countries including Spain and Portugal, with popular items such as the Kallax shelving system and Malm chest of drawers frequently traded. The service will initially be free, though Ikea plans to introduce a buyer protection fee of approximately 5% of item prices at a later date.
The move reflects broader consumer trends toward secondhand shopping. In 2025, 63% of UK consumers purchased items through resale platforms, compared to 51% in the previous year. The secondhand home products market in the UK now exceeds £4.5 billion in value and expands at roughly 6.5% annually. Ikea products account for approximately 9% of furniture sold on secondhand marketplaces in the country.
Ikea is positioning itself against established competitors including Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree. The company is facilitating sales through pre-filled product descriptions, price recommendations, and a 15% incentive for sellers who accept Ikea gift cards as payment. Sustainability manager Greg Lucas noted that secondhand shopping has become mainstream, with consumers of all ages incorporating pre-owned furniture into their home furnishing decisions.
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