Some 36% of Brtish consumers have said they are likely to buy second-hand tech ahead of Black Friday and Christmas shopping this year.
New research by the electricals retailer Currys found people in the UK are now more likely to buy second-hand technology (32%) than pre-loved clothing (19%).
Currys said environmental concerns appear to be a key driver behind this boom, with 75% of respondents saying they were worried about the amount of e-waste produced in the UK. The UK creates the second-highest amount of electronic waste per capita in the world, according to a recent Material Focus report.
Some 29% of survey respondents said they would be more likely to buy refurbished rather than new devices if it helped them reduce their environmental footprint.
Clearly, Currys has released this research in support of its own proposition, and the retailer has been talking up its circular activity in recent months.
For instance, the retailer owns a repair and refurbishment facility in Newark, east midlands, which Green Retail World visited earlier this year. Currys has also unveiled a range of discounts across its refurbished phones, as part of its Black Friday marketing campaign.
The retailer is offering up to £50 off selected refurbished mobiles as part of what it is calling its ‘Green Friday’ event. The offer runs until Tuesday 28 November, although it said its inaugural refurbished goods range sold out within a week of launch earlier this year, so it is expecting the items to be in demand.
Currys’ research – which was undertaken by OnePoll in October and questioned more than 2,000 consumers – found 47% of shoppers said second-hand tech appeals to them as it helps them to save money, while 34% said buying these items from a household retail name makes them more likely to shop second-hand. Currys offers second-hand tech customers a 12-month technical guarantee, for example, as an additional ‘peace of mind’ measure for consumers.
Steve Pendleton, services director at Currys, said customers are buying refurbished items due to “a desire to be more environmentally mindful” and for financial reasons with “top of the range devices available at a cut-price cost”.
“Then, there’s the fact that we now sell refurbished devices right alongside new items,” he added.
“That means customers can trust in the same great brands they always have done, have peace of mind thanks to our one-year guarantee and take advantage of the same flexible payment options that are available when you buy any other new product with Currys.”
[Image credit: Currys]
