IKEA has launched a new second-hand marketplace in Ireland, giving customers a free way to buy and sell pre-owned IKEA furniture directly with other customers.
The new marketplace launched today, Wednesday October 7, and will allow people to pass on IKEA furniture they no longer need while giving others the chance to find pre-owned items, including products that may no longer be available in IKEA stores.
The marketplace is designed specifically for IKEA products and works alongside the company’s existing Buyback & Resell service, which was introduced in 2021.
The main difference is that the new marketplace allows customers to sell directly to each other. Sellers can choose to receive payment in cash or opt for an IKEA digital refund card with a 15% bonus.
Customers can list current or previously sold IKEA products, although there are some exclusions. Mattresses, appliances and food cannot be listed, while modified or recalled products and items that are not from IKEA are also excluded.
Sellers can scan an eligible item to create a listing, with the platform providing recommended pricing, product photography and measurements. Listings also include product descriptions, assembly instructions and care information to help potential buyers decide whether an item is right for them.
The launch comes as second-hand shopping continues to grow in Ireland.
IKEA research found that 93% of adults in Ireland shop for second-hand goods, with saving money and getting good-quality products among the main reasons.
Furniture is already a popular part of the second-hand market, with 45% of adults who shop second-hand saying they buy pre-owned furniture.
Affordability is the biggest motivation, with 56% saying it is the main reason they buy second-hand furniture. Others are interested in finding unique or discontinued pieces, reducing their environmental impact or finding furniture that is available locally.
The research also found that people are interested in selling furniture when their circumstances change. Moving home or relocating was identified by 45% of respondents as a reason they would sell furniture online, while 42% said home renovations or redecorating could prompt them to sell.
Spring cleaning and post-Christmas decluttering were also among the reasons given.
Greg Lucas, Sustainability Manager at IKEA UK & 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.”
“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 new marketplace could also offer significant savings for people looking to furnish their homes, with second-hand IKEA products priced on average 60% lower than comparable new products, according to the company.
IKEA says the average value of unused home and garden furniture sitting in Irish homes is €531, while unused home décor and accessories are worth an average of €347.
The launch follows a €6 million investment by IKEA Ireland to reduce the prices of 457 popular products by up to 25% nationwide.
The IKEA second-hand marketplace is available exclusively to IKEA Family members, with free membership available through IKEA.ie.
Customers can now browse the marketplace and list eligible IKEA products through IKEA.ie.
