IKEA To Launch Delayed UK Furniture Buy-Back Programme

In its latest annual results, IKEA UK says that it will launch its delayed furniture buy-back programme when retail stores are allowed to open.

During the week of Black Friday in 2020, many Ingka Group countries around the world ran the BuyBack Friday campaign, inviting customers to return IKEA products they no longer needed, and in return receive a voucher to spend on something they really wanted. The campaign ran from 24 November to 3 December to coincide with the traditional Black Friday week, but the return period was extended well into the new year in many countries to keep the stores from over-crowding. 

Hege Saebjornsen, country sustainability manager for Ikea UK and Ireland said, "Last year, Ikea was piloting Buy Back in our Edinburgh and Glasgow stores to explore how we support our customers to lead more sustainable lives, step by step," 

"Irrespective of the trial being shorter than planned due to store closures, we believe strongly in the idea and moreover, believe that providing customers with more convenient ways to give their products a second life is the right thing to do."

Customers wishing to participate in the programme are asked to visit the IKEA website and complete an online form to obtain an estimate of the value of their item.  They are then asked to bring the assembled IKEA furniture, together with the estimate, to their preferred IKEA store.  A member of staff will assess the furniture in person, then give the final agreed value as an IKEA refund card to the customer.  The furniture will then be resold to a new home via IKEA's Bargain corner department.

Products that IKEA will accept are:

• All dressers, office drawer cabinets, small structures with drawers, display storage, sideboards
• Bookcases and shelf units
• Small tables
• Multimedia furniture
• Cabinets
• Dining tables and desks
• Chairs and stools (excl upholstered or leather chairs and stools)
• Chest of drawers
• Children’s products (excluding Baby products as below)
• PAX accessories

Products IKEA cannot currently accept are:

• Non-IKEA products
• Hacked or modified products
• Non-assembled IKEA products
• Products that have been used outside including outdoor furniture
• Mattresses & Bed Textiles (such as Blankets and Mattress toppers)
• Sofas / armchairs
• Other soft good (pillows, towels, curtains etc.)
• Items containing glass
• Kitchens including worktops, cabinets and fronts
• PAX Wardrobes
• Other over-sized items
• Appliances and other electrical items
• Baby products such as cots, mattresses and changing tables
• Upholstered or leather products
• Market hall products
• Non-furniture items

Source : Insight DIY Team

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