Summary

Trade-in programs are gaining momentum in the furniture industry. What used to be a nice-to-have service is becoming a strategic lever in 2025 — boosting revenue, loyalty, and sustainability. Brands like IKEA and WTradeFurniture are leading the way. And koorvi provides the infrastructure to give every piece of furniture a second life.
A customer returns a furniture item at a store. He talks to a staff member and appears pleased.

Why Trade-In Matters Now

The market is shifting. Customers no longer look for just good design — they expect durability, fair pricing, and responsibility.

A trade-in program hits right at the core: instead of throwing away old furniture, customers return it and get credit toward new purchases. It saves money, conserves resources — and creates a shopping experience that sticks.

IKEA Leads the Way: Returns as a System

Few companies have implemented the model as early and consistently as IKEA. With the “Second Chance” program, customers can assess their used furniture, get an offer — and receive a voucher after returning it.

The items don’t go to waste but are resold in the store’s Second Chance section. What’s the impact?

  • Over 430,000 items got a second life in 2023.
  • IKEA reduced its CO₂ footprint by 24.3% — while increasing revenue.
  • Customers return — with old furniture in hand and new plans in mind.

A smart loop — scalable even for smaller brands.

In the US? WTradeFurniture Goes Digital

While IKEA focuses on in-store returns, WTradeFurniture shows how trade-in works in e-commerce. Customers upload photos of old furniture, receive an estimate — and get a discount on their next purchase.

No disposal, no reselling hassle — just one click, one voucher, one less item in the garage.

What Makes a Great Trade-In Program?

A working model starts not with logistics — but with trust. Customers need to understand:

  • Which items are accepted? (usually gently used, ideally same-brand products)
  • What’s the value? (30–50% of the original price or a flat voucher)
  • How does it work? (assess online, drop off in store or ship in, get credit)

The key: the process must be clear, quick, and respectful. Nobody returns a sofa if the process feels like bureaucracy.

A customer receives a voucher in a furniture store after returning a used item – both people are smiling, the mood is cheerful.
With a Trade In Program, you can enhance Customer Loyalty.

What’s in It for Retailers & Manufacturers?

In short: a lot.

  • Trade-in creates reasons to return
  • It opens second-hand markets that would otherwise go untapped
  • It reduces material costs when parts are reused
  • It strengthens brand loyalty by showing care — even post-purchase

Bonus: It proves that sustainability isn’t just a label — it’s part of the business model.

How koorvi Enables Furniture Trade-In — Without a Logistics Nightmare

Not every brand has physical stores like IKEA. But any brand can launch a take-back system — with the right platform.

koorvi provides the full infrastructure:

  • Branded digital return portals
  • Condition assessment & evaluation, automated and scalable
  • Integration with refurbishment and recycling partners
  • CRM integration to re-engage customers
  • Process tracking & documentation for platform and authority reporting

That’s how returns become routine — and revenue.

👉 Launch your trade-in program

FAQs

Why are trade-in programs becoming essential for furniture brands in today's market?

Customers now expect durability, fair pricing, and responsibility beyond just design. Trade-in programs address this perfectly by letting customers return old furniture for credit toward new purchases, saving them money while conserving resources. It creates memorable shopping experiences that build loyalty, turning one-time transactions into ongoing relationships. Brands like IKEA prove this model scales, reducing CO₂ footprints while driving revenue through repeat visits.

How does IKEA's Second Chance program work and what results has it achieved?

IKEA's Second Chance lets customers assess used furniture online, receive an offer, and get a voucher after return. Items go to in-store Second Chance sections for resale instead of waste. Results are impressive: over 430,000 items got second lives in 2023, CO₂ footprint dropped 24.3%, and customers return regularly. It's a scalable closed loop even smaller brands can replicate.

Which furniture works best for trade-in programs and why?

Durable, modular items like sofas, tables, chairs, dressers with solid resale value and clear quality standards perform best. Brands often accept own products ensuring consistency. High-value, easily transportable pieces maximize margins when cleaned, inspected, resold – opening price-sensitive segments while reducing sourcing costs through reuse.

How is trade-in value calculated and what margins do retailers achieve?

Value depends on type, condition, reusability – IKEA offers up to 50% original price. Retailers gain healthy margins reselling refurbished items after minor work. Clear categories (excellent/good/fair) plus transparent process builds trust. Platforms automate evaluation ensuring consistent, profitable pricing across volume.

What happens to returned furniture and how does koorvi streamline the process?

Best pieces get cleaned, inspected, resold as second-life products opening new segments. Platforms like koorvi provide full stack: branded portals, automated intake/condition grading, refurbishment partner integration, CRM sync, documentation. Turns returns into routine revenue without building logistics from scratch.