Ikea is challenging the likes of eBay and Vinted by prepping the launch of its own second-hand marketplace in the UK later this year, with Ikea Family members able to buy and sell pre-owned furniture directly from one another.
The move, which has seen the flatpack giant send millions of emails to loyalty club members asking for permission to update its T&Cs as well as its privacy policy, follows a test of the proposition in Madrid and Oslo, before expanding the service further across Europe.
By January this year, its second-hand marketplace was operating in Spain, Norway, Portugal, Poland and Sweden.
Ikea’s marketplace technology is designed to remove some of the friction involved in selling used furniture. In markets where the service is already live, sellers can create listings using pre-filled product information and suggested pricing, while choosing how and when an item is handed over to its new owner.
Some overseas versions also allow sellers to opt for payment by bank transfer or take an Ikea gift card with 15% added to its value, although Ikea has yet to confirm whether the same incentives will form part of the UK service.
It said the UK launch would make it easier for customers to access affordable pre-owned Ikea furniture while extending the lifespan of products, describing the scheme as “a safe and simple space where your beloved Ikea pieces can find a new home”.
An Ikea spokesperson said: “With the launch of Ikea second-hand marketplace in the UK, we’re taking a meaningful step toward creating a destination that simplifies access to pre-owned Ikea furniture. Our goal is to make passing on beloved Ikea pieces as seamless as possible.
“We’re creating a trusted and vibrant space to make it quick and easy for our Ikea Family members to trade directly with one another. We want the process for buying and selling pre-owned Ikea products to be simple, accessible and rewarding.”
The exact UK launch date and full details of how the British version of the marketplace will operate, will be revealed in the coming months.
Related stories
Ikea hires new agency to take on advertising account
Ikea aims to let the quality, not the price, do the talking
Five go mad for Ikea as retail giant draws up shortlist
Ikea bids farewell to Mother as agency shuns review
Ikea unveils home move plan backed by first credit card
Ikea appoints global chief data and analytics officer
Be the first to comment on "Ikea takes on resale giants with furniture marketplace"