UK retailer WHSmith has launched a book buy back scheme in association with fully managed resale service provider Zeercle.
Showing signs of its more circular thinking, WHSmith’s said the buy back scheme was introduced to support “a sustainable future for the books we sell”.
Dubbed ‘Bookcycle’ the programme allows consumers to register their books online to receive a quoted price, before encouraging them to take the items to a WHSmith store. Through Zeercle’s resale channels, the books will be sold at reduced prices, with any that are unsuitable for resale recycled to minimise their impact on the environment.
Participating consumers will receive an e-voucher for the value of the trade-in, which can be used in any WHSmith store or on the retailer’s website.
Rules and regulations
WHSmith and Zeercle said pre-loved books will not be accepted if, the following:
- The author and the title are missing (inner page)
- Any pages are torn
- Any pages are missing
- Any stains (coffee, tea, etc.) or mould is evident
- Annotations/drawings/pen marks are evident
- They have folds or dog-eared pages.
WHSmith said its Chippenham and Teddington stores are not participating in the buy back scheme, while outlet stores, the Books by WHSmith concept at Selfridges, Harrods, Arnotts and Fenwicks, and travel stores – including those at airports, railway stations, motorway service stations, hospitals, garden centres and workplaces – are also excluded.
The WHSmith scheme comes to market following the launch of several similarly minded schemes across the retail industry. Ikea buys back unwanted Ikea furniture to stop consumers throwing it away and enabling the furniture retailer to resell it at second-hand prices.
Fashion retailers, including Sweaty Betty, Seasalt, and Dune, also provide take-back options for their customers – in partnership with specialist fashion resale partner Reskinned.
Read more about resale and rental revolution in retail on Green Retail World
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