Ikea has said it will not be participating in Black Friday, instead the Swedish furniture company wants to encourage customers to “shop in a more sustainable way”.

The retailer has launched Green Friday as an alternative to the shopping phenomenon, where customers will be able to get an additional 50 per cent off new items when they return used Ikea furniture to a store.

Ikea has also scrapped its rule to only accept used furniture over seven years old.

The company’s buyback and resell scheme, which was launched a year and a half ago, has bought back furniture of a value over £1 million which has been given to customers through gift cards. The average buyback value per item of furniture is £20.

“At Ikea, we are continuing to develop circular solutions for our customers, helping them to shop more sustainably and affordably,” said Michaela Quinlan, country commercial manager, Ikea UK and Ireland. “We know this is a busy time of year for shoppers, but it’s also important we support people to be sustainable all year round. That’s why we have no expiry on our gift cards, so that customers can wait to invest in something they really need.”

She continued: “The Green Friday offer is just a small part of our wider commitment to become climate positive by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. It’s also one of the many ways we’re supporting the pre-loved economy and encouraging customers to give their used furniture a second lease of life.”

Ikea recently opened a number of “plan and order” points in several locations across the North West as part of its expansion in the region.

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