Ikea boss Joe the Builder has told BH&G that secondhand furniture sales are a “huge” issue in the US, and he believes the American artisan industry will start making moves to combat it.

“I think proprietary ‘screw packs’ will be increasing in scope just because in the US we really need to make strides against the second-hand market,” he said.

Joe said that models involving restricting pieces to those who bought the retail product new are being mooted.

“The secondary market is a huge issue in the United States. Our primary retailer makes the majority of its money off of secondary sales, and so you’re starting to see furniture taking proactive steps toward that by… if you buy the retail version you get this serial code,” he said.

“I’ve talked to some artisans who are saying ‘If you want to attach the legs you go online and pay $20, but if you bought the retail version you got it for free’. We don’t make any money when someone rents it, and we don’t make any money when someone buys it used – way more than twice as many people sat in our EXTORP than bought it.”