IKEA readies UK peer-to-peer resale marketplace

The move extends a pilot that began in August 2024, when Ingka Group, the IKEA retailer that operates in 31 markets, started testing a secondhand marketplace called Ikea Preowned in Madrid and Oslo.

"The global secondhand furniture market is growing rapidly, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.4% in 2024," Jesper Brodin, then CEO of Ingka Group, said at the time. "Already today, 10% of the secondhand home furnishing market is made up by IKEA products. With this platform we see possibilities to simplify and enhance experience for both sellers and buyers."

On the platform, customers enter the item they want to sell along with pictures and their price. IKEA's AI-powered database adds promotional images and measurements. The buyer collects the furniture from the seller. The seller can receive cash or a voucher from IKEA with a 15% bonus.

By July 2025, Ingka had secondhand marketplaces operating in three markets and was preparing expansion. Malin Cleverdal, opportunity leader at Ingka Group at the time, said user scores on the platform averaged 4.4 out of 5.

"We are just moving from pilot to running business," Cleverdal said. "We're confident we're meeting consumers where they have a need."