Ikea launches an unprecedented campaign to buy back the furniture of its customers

Tired of your Ikea dresser?

The Swedish kit furniture giant, which is striving to convert its model to the circular economy, announced Tuesday launching an unprecedented campaign to buy back furniture and then resell it, on the occasion of Black Friday.

During this campaign called "Buy Back Friday", customers will receive a voucher of up to 50% of the initial price of the Ikea object deposited, according to Ingka, the franchise which includes nearly 90% of stores in the world.

The operation, carried out for the first time, is to take place between November 24 and December 3, in 27 countries.

27 countries concerned

"Anything that cannot be resold will be recycled or given to initiatives to help those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic", details the group.

By 2021, Ikea plans to install spaces in each store dedicated to the collection and resale of used furniture, which is already the case in some of its establishments.

"Countries like Australia or Canada are already testing buyback services, but 'Buy Back Friday' will be the first time we do it in 27 countries," said Paul Mills, a spokesperson. from Ingka.

Ikea wants to become a player in the circular economy

Keen to respond to criticism that its model, based on selling low-cost kit products, leads to overconsumption and waste, Ikea has also already started repairing and repackaging products that have been damaged in transit in each store.

The Swedish giant, which employs more than 217,000 people and has more than 500 points of sale for an annual turnover of around 40 billion euros, is committed to becoming a player in the circular economy here 2030. It wants to reduce its global climate footprint by 70% on average per product by then.