The Decathlon buy back service that launched in 2023 to allow consumers to sell their old bikes to the retailer is now accepting additional sporting equipment.
The scheme enables people to swap old sporting equipment in return for store vouchers, with Decathlon then able to refurbish and resell the goods via its second-hand channels.
Launched at the end of 2023 across the retailer’s own-brand cycles only, the Decathlon buy back programme now includes equipment from categories such as fitness, racket sports, water sport including kayaks and paddleboards, and camping gear.
Consumers looking to trade in must complete an online assessment and register the return of their product. Once they have received a quote, they book a time to drop off the item at a Decathlon store.
As an additional element of the Decathlon buy back service, customers can choose to get their sports kits repaired at any of Decathlon’s stores across the UK.
Chris Allen, UK sustainability & circular economy leader at Decathlon, commented: “At Decathlon we’re all about driving participation in sport and we want to encourage this in the most sustainable way possible.
“Buy Back allows people to realise value from older or unused kit and exchange it for new or refurbished products. With the cost of living still having a huge impact on our customers, we are determined to ensure people are ready to play this summer, whatever the weather.”
Decathlon has been one of the most inventive UK retailers in the circular movement now starting to spread across the industry. In 2023, it offered festival goers the chance to sell back their tents after use, and it has launched a rental product scheme at stores nationwide.
Ex-Tesco sustainability director Anna Turrell was appointed Decathlon’s chief sustainability officer in July 2023. At the time, the retailer told Green Retail World bringing to market and overseeing “new circular business models, including the development of services like Second Life, repair, and rental” would be central to Turrell’s role.
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
