IKEA has decided to sell used or secondhand furniture online, according to the Time magazine. It is doing this only in Sweden for now, but depending on the venture's success it may start doing so in other countries, too.
This venture only began last week, and for now IKEA's CEO in Sweden, Peter Agnefall, says that only time will tell if the venture will take off. In the meantime he thinks they had to start somewhere, and that it is "unbelievably fun."
So I notice a couple of encouraging things about this: IKEA furniture can survive one round of ownership to make it into the next one. The other thing is IKEA trying to do something about the environment and encouraging customers to move towards a more earth friendly way to dispose of their used furniture. To be fair, IKEA has made several changes over the last few years to move towards greater sustainability.
Time mentions that cynics might see this as a way of "trying to take control of the second hand market". What do you think?
Comments
I think it is a great move from IKEA, wood is being widely used all over the world and without noticing we are using more wood than the earth can grow.
I don’t really care if they make a profit out of it or just do it to be a “green company” – it helps = it’s a good thing!
I agree that it is a good thing, and I hope more manufacturers and retailers follow suit.
I have nothing against anyone making a profit if they can also benefit others and do it responsibly.
I am not sure ikea can corner the second hand market. Going up against Craigslist, Kijiji, Amazon, eBay to name a few cannot be their objective.
I think what they are doing is commendable though. Anytime we can divert and reuse helps people and mother nature. Though I am sure they will still turn a profit while looking good.
Mike
I think it can be good waz to help our nature. Manz people, rich people change their furniture every one or two year, and this furniture finish on landfill.
I agree that it is a good thing, and I hope more manufacturers and retailers follow suit.