IKEA launches UK second-hand marketplace for Family members

IKEA has launched a second-hand marketplace in the UK that lets Family members buy and sell pre-owned furniture directly. For bulky goods like furniture, resale only remains worthwhile when delivery costs do not erase the savings from buying second-hand.

Sellers must list the item’s assembled or disassembled condition, dimensions, weight and any access restrictions so the marketplace can predict moving costs. The buyer’s address is checked with the same detail, allowing the platform to combine collections and deliveries on the same vehicle or route. Pricing is set per job based on that complexity, and the marketplace’s booking system must link to the carrier’s transport‑management and route‑planning software.

IKEA’s decision to launch its resale platform in the UK has encouraged retailers to think about resale as a means of generating revenue and keeping customers within their ecosystem. Nishith Rastogi, Founder and CEO of Locus, explores the challenges – and opportunities – of reselling for furniture retailers.

What we know

• IKEA’s planned UK second-hand marketplace will enable IKEA Family members to buy and sell pre-owned furniture directly with one another.

• Nishith Rastogi, Founder and CEO of Locus, explores the challenges – and opportunities – of reselling for furniture retailers.

• IKEA’s decision to launch its resale platform in the UK has encouraged retailers to think about resale as a means of generating revenue and keeping customers within their ecosystem.