Electricals retailer Currys is increasing the number of refurbished tech SKUs on its website, as demand for second-hand items and more circular consumption continues to rise.
The retailer views it as an ideal time to sell pre-owned and refurbished tech, as consumers look to reduce their impact on the environment and seek cheaper deals in light of rising inflation in the UK.
Currys started selling cheaper, refurbished tech such as mobiles, laptops, and Chromebooks on its website last November. It noted that sales of second-hand items have boomed since the trial began, with 80% of the refurbished tech lines selling out within the first week of them being made available.
The retailer said refurbished laptops are in particularly high demand, despite no supporting marketing activity. One in ten online users searching for laptops organically browsed the available refurbished listings, it added.
Currys has now embedded second-hand items into its general proposition online, with all the payment options consumers would expect when purchasing new items – such as buy now, pay later tools – accompanying these pre-loved products. Currys promises that each refurbished item it sells will come with charging power outlets and leads.
In another sign Currys is ramping up activity in the pre-loved space, ranges for sale now come in different conditions. Instead of just offering ‘excellent’ condition refurbished tech, the retailer is also listing products ranging from ‘very good’ to ‘fair’, which come with lower price points accordingly.
All items are sold with a 12-month technical guarantee.
The move into the second-hand market builds on Currys’ ‘Cash for Trash’ scheme which allows consumers to bring back old electricals items into stores where they receive a £5 voucher that can be redeemed on future purchases.
Mandeep Gobindpuri, head of development, circular economy at Currys, said the initiative is part of efforts to clamp down on e-waste, which the company acknowledges is a significant contributor to carbon emissions in the UK.
“E-waste is a core reason why we are committed to our ‘Long Live Your Tech’ campaign, which helps customers make more informed environmental decisions when buying and disposing of technology,” she commented.
“Buying refurbished saves customers money and saves good tech from landfill. This trial is a win for customers, and a win for the planet.”
[Image credit: Currys]
