### Ikea Introduces Secondhand Furniture Marketplace to Compete with eBay and Craigslist
Ikea, the renowned furniture powerhouse, is entering the resale market with a new peer-to-peer platform termed Ikea Preowned. This initiative aims to enable customers to buy and sell preowned Ikea furniture directly among themselves, allowing the company to compete directly with well-known platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, and Gumtree.
#### A New Phase in Ikea’s Digital Evolution
The Ikea Preowned platform is presently undergoing trials in Madrid, Spain, and Oslo, Norway, with intentions to broaden its reach globally if these trials are successful. Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group, which runs the majority of Ikea stores worldwide, expressed that this initiative has been a long-cherished aspiration finally being realized.
“This has been a dream in the making for some time,” Brodin shared with the Financial Times. “We’re at a point in Ikea where we can undertake more advanced and exciting ventures. The confidence in the company’s digital evolution is remarkable.”
The debut of Ikea Preowned is part of a larger transformation strategy that Ikea has been pursuing in recent years. Historically recognized as an out-of-town retailer where consumers gather and assemble their own furniture, Ikea is transitioning toward a more digitally-forward business model. This shift encompasses online sales, urban stores, and added services such as furniture assembly.
#### Functionality of Ikea Preowned
The new platform is crafted to ensure ease of use and efficiency. Sellers can list their Ikea furniture by uploading personal photos and determining a selling price. Ikea’s AI-driven database enhances these listings with promotional visuals and dimensions, enhancing their attractiveness and informativeness for interested buyers.
Buyers will retrieve their purchased items directly from the sellers, simplifying the transaction process and minimizing logistical issues. Sellers can choose to receive payment either in cash or as an Ikea voucher, which includes a 15% bonus as an added incentive.
#### Competing in the Resale Arena
Brodin pointed out that Ikea already possesses a substantial presence in the secondhand furniture market, even overshadowing its new furniture sales. The company has previously operated a limited program wherein it purchases used furniture from customers to resell in stores. However, Ikea Preowned represents a more ambitious effort to capture a larger share of the secondhand market.
“Frequently, there exists a monopoly or oligopoly on operating platforms,” Brodin remarked, referencing established competitors like eBay and Gumtree. In Oslo alone, the Norwegian classifieds site Finn lists 8,700 Ikea items. Initial listings on Ikea Preowned feature large items such as sofas costing up to €600 and wardrobes for €450, as well as smaller items like a toilet roll holder priced at €4.
While the platform currently allows for free listings, Brodin indicated that Ikea might eventually implement a “symbolic fee” to maintain its operations.
#### Aligning with Sustainability Objectives
The introduction of Ikea Preowned coincides with the company’s wider sustainability ambitions. Ikea has pledged to become “circular and climate positive” by 2030, and the Preowned platform is a vital step towards achieving this goal. By promoting the resale of furniture, Ikea is facilitating the reuse of products, thereby minimizing waste and encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle.
#### The Future of Ikea’s Digital Framework
The Covid-19 pandemic expedited Ikea’s digital evolution, compelling the company to launch online shopping globally within a mere six weeks—a transition originally projected to span three years. “That was a matter of survival for us,” Brodin recollected. “We were 100 percent closed. The digital transformation was our savior.”
Looking forward, Ikea intends to cultivate a comprehensive digital platform that will serve as the “ultimate destination for home furnishing.” The Preowned marketplace is anticipated to be a key element of this ecosystem, alongside additional services like home planning, finance, and shopping.
As Ikea continues to advance, the Preowned platform could revolutionize how consumers acquire and sell furniture, facilitating a more efficient and sustainable approach to decorating homes worldwide.
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*Note: This article draws on insights from the Financial Times and other sources. All rights reserved by the original publishers.*
