IKEA and the Furniture Industry: Prices and Launches — 2026-10-31

Top developments

IKEA’s Second-Hand Marketplace Gains Momentum in Europe

The IKEA second-hand marketplace, launched in Germany on October 14, 2026, attracted more than 6,500 listings within its first week, signaling strong consumer interest in furniture resale. As the platform expands to the UK and Ireland, IKEA is testing a new feature in Portugal and Spain that allows sellers to receive direct offers from IKEA for eligible products, rather than waiting for buyer bids. Mercedes Gutierrez, Global Head of the Second-hand Business Platform at Ingka Group, stated that second-hand is becoming a natural part of home life, complementing new sales rather than replacing them.

Industry Crisis: Depot Closes All Austrian Stores

The European home decoration sector is undergoing a "radical upheaval," according to Wolfgang Richter of RegioData Research, as the chain Depot announced the closure of all its Austrian branches on October 28, 2026. This move highlights the severe pressure on traditional brick-and-mortar furniture and decoration retailers amidst rising costs and hesitant consumers. The closure underscores the broader crisis in the furniture industry, where even major players like IKEA are implementing price cuts and new retail formats to maintain market share.

New Product Launches and Price Adjustments

IKEA has released 13 new furniture and home accessory products in Germany as of October 2026, aiming to stimulate demand in a sluggish market. In Sweden, customer favorite products are making a comeback at low price points, such as a popular item returning for 199 kronor, reflecting a strategy to maintain affordability. These launches coincide with ongoing price reductions on over 1,500 products, including the Billy bookcase series, with cuts of 15–25% in some markets.

Local view

Swedish Press: Legal Challenges and Major Investments

Swedish media reports that IKEA is facing a lawsuit in the US regarding "shock prices," where specific furniture items reportedly increased in cost by up to 2,000 SEK over recent years, with one item suddenly 500 SEK more expensive at checkout. Concurrently, Ingka Centres is planning a massive investment of over 5 billion SEK in Stockholm, constructing a 65,000 square meter building to reinforce its physical retail presence despite the shift toward digital and second-hand channels.

German Media: Consumer Hesitancy

German outlets like Handelsblatt and Rheinische Post note that IKEA is actively combating customer hesitancy through its second-hand marketplace and price reductions. Retailer Höffner is also responding by offering half-price deals on sofas, tables, and beds on October 30 and 31, ahead of Black Friday, to capture consumer spend.

Context & numbers

Vietnam’s Furniture Export Slowdown

Vietnam’s furniture exports slowed in the first half of 2026 after a decade of rapid growth, with the US remaining the dominant destination. The sector faces challenges from softer import demand, tariff pressures, and limited diversification.

Furniture Safety Recalls

US regulators continue to issue recalls for clothing storage units due to tip-over and entrapment risks. A recent roundup on October 30, 2026, highlighted recalls for dressers violating the mandatory STURDY Act standard, urging consumers to stop using unanchored units immediately.

On the radar

• Nov 5, 2026: IKEA India opens its second store in Bengaluru at Purva Zentech, Kanakapura Main Road, featuring 80,000 sq ft and 5,200 products.
• Ongoing: Monitoring the expansion of IKEA's direct buyback offers in Portugal and Spain as a potential model for wider European rollout.