KAARST, Germany — IKEA will expand tests to allow customers to rent desks and sofas rather than buy them as it shifts away from selling low-cost disposable furniture in response to growing environmental concerns.
“Testing out opportunities for leasing offers is one of the ways we are challenging ourselves to deliver on our transformation strategy,” said Jesper Brodin, chief executive of Ingka Group, which owns most IKEA stores.IKEA’s move towards supporting a more circular economy comes as many young consumers say they want to minimize their impact on the environment, preferring to rent items ranging from clothing to cars.
IKEA, which had global sales of 39 billion euros last year, said it wants to develop subscription-based leasing offers to encourage products to be reused as many times as possible before being recycled.
Great idea especially for the environment