Ikea tests online furniture buy-back service in Spain and Portugal
Ikea is testing an online buy-back service for secondhand furniture, with pilots in Spain and Portugal before the end of December, ahead of a potential UK launch. The move comes as the retailer launches its own secondhand marketplace in the UK this week, directly competing with platforms like Vinted and eBay in the booming pre-owned furniture market.
The secondhand home products market is worth more than £4.5bn in the UK and growing at 6.5% annually, with Ikea predicting pre-owned goods will capture 16% of the UK homewares market next year. Ikea's products currently account for about 9% of furniture sold on secondhand marketplaces, and the company is making reselling easier by offering pre-filled product descriptions and price suggestions, plus 15% extra when sellers accept payment as Ikea gift cards. The shift reflects broader consumer behaviour, with 63% of UK consumers purchasing through reselling platforms in 2025, up from 51% in 2024.
- Ikea tests online buy-back service for secondhand furniture in Spain and Portugal
- Company launches its own secondhand marketplace in UK this week
- Pre-owned furniture market worth £4.5bn in UK, growing at 6.5% annually
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The secondhand furniture market has grown into a major part of retail in the UK, with consumers increasingly buying pre-owned items through platforms like Vinted and eBay rather than purchasing new. This market is now worth more than £4.5 billion annually and continues to expand, driven by both cost considerations and environmental concerns.
Consumer behaviour is shifting rapidly, with most UK shoppers now regularly purchasing pre-owned goods. Large retailers have traditionally stayed out of this space, but Ikea sees an opportunity to serve customers who both buy and sell pre-owned furniture. The company's move reflects how significantly this market has grown.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Ikea to pilot online buyback service for secondhand furniture”.