Ikea trials second-hand marketplace for direct customer sales

Ikea Preowned launches in Madrid and Oslo with plans for global expansion by December.

New marketplace launched in Madrid and Oslo

Ikea has launched a trial for its own second-hand online marketplace, Ikea Preowned, allowing customers to buy and sell used Ikea products directly with each other. This initiative, currently operational in Madrid and Oslo, is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its global reach by December 2024.

This move is aligned with Ikea’s sustainability goals, aiming to reduce waste by encouraging the reuse of its products rather than allowing them to end up in landfills. Additionally, by creating its own platform, Ikea hopes to capture more profit fr om the resale of its goods, a market that has been growing steadily alongside the broader second-hand economy, which includes furniture, clothing, and equipment.

Global expansion expected by year-end

A spokesperson for Ikea mentioned that the company would evaluate the success of the platform after December to determine future steps. Although the trial is starting in Oslo and Madrid, Ikea’s ambitions extend far beyond these initial markets.

This initiative also reflects Ikea’s shift in focus from its traditional brick-and-mortar stores, which are costly to operate, towards the more dynamic and cost-effective online sales sector. Ikea Preowned listings are created by sellers, while Ikea’s algorithms provide item details, including measurements and the original retail price. This trial follows Ikea’s existing efforts in some stores wh ere it already sells pre-owned items.