Ikea pilots furniture buyback and resale program in the U.S.

Ikea is planning to enter the resale market in the United States.

The global furniture giant is testing a furniture buyback and resale program at its store in the Philadelphia suburb of Conshohocken from August 30 through September 30.  Ikea plans to roll out the program to additional select U.S. markets, with the ultimate goal of making it a permanent service at all its U.S. stores “in the future.” 

The program, which is open to members of Ikea’s free loyalty program, allows participants to sell their used Ikea furniture in exchange for store credit.  The service is available only for fully assembled and functional Ikea furniture, with all items will be reviewed for condition, age and functionality.

The returned items will be made available for resale in Ikea’s “as-is” section at discounted prices. The retailer noted that all recalled products and some product categories such as dressers are not eligible for the program.

“At Ikea, we are passionate about making sustainable living easy and affordable for the many, and want to be part of a future that’s better for both people and the planet,” says Jennifer Keesson, country sustainability manager, Ikea U.S. “We hope the Buy Back & Resell service inspires our customers to live a more sustainable life at home while giving their used furniture another life and a second home.”

Ikea is launching the service amid a booming U.S. market for resale. Most recently, Madewell and Fabletics joined the growing list of retailers partnering with resale platform ThredUp.

Ikea has 375 stores in 30 countries, including 52 U.S. locations. The company, which already operates buyback programs at its stores in many other countries, said that the buyback service is part of its commitment to transform its business model —  from furniture to food, home delivery to assembly, and product design to investments — to be circular and climate positive by 2030.  Among other initiatives, Ikea remains committed to designing all products to be 100% circular from the beginning and aims to use only renewable or recycled materials by adapting and finding new sources or developing new materials.

[Read More: Walmart, H&M, Ikea launch climate change initiative]