Ikea is bringing its growing buy-back and resale program to the United States.
The Swedish furniture giant debuted a limited-time pilot program at its store in Conshohocken, Penn., Monday. Ikea plans to expand the initiative—currently scheduled to last through Sept. 19—to additional select markets across the U.S., with the ultimate goal of making Buy Back & Resell a permanent fixture at all Ikea stores across the U.S.
The service will allow members of Ikea’s Family loyalty program to sell back “gently used” Ikea furniture in exchange for store credit. It is available for fully assembled and functional Ikea furniture only. Products will be reviewed based on condition, age and functionality, the company said. Not all Ikea products are currently eligible, including home furnishing accessories, outside furniture, mattresses, electrical appliances, sofas and kitchen cabinets.
The U.S. pilot follows similar program launches in dozens of other countries. A nearly global push that would have involved programs in 27 countries was originally scheduled around last year’s Black Friday, but was delayed due to the pandemic. The BBC reporting the initiative’s U.K. launch just this May.
Earlier this year, Ikea partnered with circular denim brand Mud Jeans on a denim couch cover made from upcycled denim. The cover, specially fitted for the retailer’s popular Klippan sofa, contains 40 percent post-consumer recycled denim (or the equivalent to two pairs of jeans), a classic medium wash and actual jean pockets on the sides. The cover was a limited offering exclusively sold in nine European markets.
Ikea has previously announced plans to become circular and climate positive by 2030. Other recent sustainability efforts have included the opening of a solar car park in Baltimore—an additional seven were planned, as of February—a commitment to shift 50 percent of its main restaurant meals to plant-based by 2025 and a move toward electric vehicle last-mile delivery trucks.
Ikea’s Buy Back & Resell pilot program places the furniture titan alongside a slew of apparel companies. Levi’s, for example, launched its SecondHand initiative back in October, allowing customers to exchange used goods for a gift card towards a future purchase. Tommy Hilfiger unveiled a similar pilot program in the Netherlands in November and just last month, denim brand Diesel introduced its own pilot in Italy.