Multinational homeware brand Ikea will soon launch 'IKEA Preowned' in Belgium, a new online platform where customers can buy and sell second-hand IKEA furniture directly.
With this initiative, the home furnishing chain wants to make second-hand furniture easier and more attractive for everyone, allowing customers to buy and sell second-hand IKEA furniture among themselves. This is a direct exchange between individuals.
The platform is currently being tested in Madrid (Spain) and Oslo (Norway). Upon completion of the testing phase, the aim is to launch IKEA Preowned in Belgium and other European countries.
'Second chance corner'
IKEA Belgium was one of the first retailers to include second-hand services in 2015. Through the 'Buyback' service, customers can easily return their used furniture to the shop, where it is given a second life in the Tweedekanshoek ("Second chance corner"), at a lower price.
In 2024, customers returned about 12,300 pieces of furniture, accounting for a 72% increase over the previous year. This year, 11,600 products have already been returned. Children's storage furniture, desks and non-upholstered chairs are the most returned categories in this regard.
The growth of IKEA Belgium's second-hand services reflects a broader trend: according to trade federation Comeos, the Belgian used furniture market accounted for more than €184 million in 2023, up 31% on the previous year.
