Ikea is opening its car park in Milton Keynes for a car boot sale to support customers in prolonging the life of their pre-loved home furnishing goods, as part of its wider goal to be climate positive by 2030.
The new (for Ikea) event will take place on 02 – 03 September 2023. Ikea is inviting members of the public eager to pass on their goods, and buyers looking for more affordable solutions, to join in.
The furniture giant recognises that a growing environmental awareness is shaping the way people value the things they own; the car boot sale is designed to help pass on things that still have value, while ensuring consumers remain supported during challenging economic times. If the pilot is successful, the ambition is that they take place in Ikea car parks across the country in 2024.
David Manser, store manager, Ikea, Milton Keynes, said: “We’re excited to be hosting the first event of its kind for Ikea and are proud to be getting the local community together to sell, buy, explore and keep good things going.
“We want to make the passing on of pre-loved items as easy and enjoyable as possible, and by providing the opportunity for people to resell the items they no longer need, brings benefits to the community, the environment and wallets. If you have recently had a clear out, are looking to refresh your home, or are simply looking for something fun to do, why not come along this weekend and play your part in the sustainable loop.”
Second-hand home furnishing goods can be sold, but items such as clothing, electronics and food will not be accepted on this occasion. Ikea also stressed that the event is not directed at traders or businesses, and sellers must be over 18 years of age.
Over the car boot sale weekend, refreshments will be provided free of charge to stall owners, with coupons also available for hot food. The event is free to attend.
The car boot event is not Ikea’s first steps into recommerce. In 2021, Ikea launched the circular hub as part of its commitment to becoming climate positive by 2030. The hub is an area within each store where, together with customers, Ikea can recycle and give products a second life, offering free spare parts and an attractive range of affordable goods including discontinued items, ex-display articles and pre-loved furniture, traded back to Ikea through the BuyBack service. The service incites customers to sell back eligible pre-loved goods in exchange for store credit, with these pieces then able to be repurchased by a new customer as part of the concept.
See Ikea’s company profile in the latest RetailX Europe Homeware 2023 report. Download the report in full to discover:
- Why did the homeware market shrink in 2022?
- Why homeware has the lowest ecommerce uptake compared to all the other retail sectors
- Sustainability is a keen driver of online homeware shoppers
