As the only UK tech retailer to fully own its repair and refurbishment facility2, Currys is on a mission to give technology a longer life, and has unveiled a range of discounts across its refurbished phones to help keep tech in circulation for longer.
One in three Brits set to buy refurbished tech this winter, with pre-used electronics becoming more popular than second-hand clothing
Environmental awareness, value for money and consumer trust in buying from well-established retailers among the key drivers of refurbished boom
Currys introduces new deals on refurbished mobiles range
Over a third (36%) of Brits say they are likely to buy second-hand tech ahead of Black Friday and Christmas shopping this year.
New research by the UK’s leading technology retailer, Currys, has dug into what is powering a ‘refurbished revolution’ in consumer tech, with Brits now more likely to buy second-hand technology (32%) than they are clothes (19%).
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 Brits produce.
The UK generates the second-highest amount of electronic waste per capita in the world, with half a billion cheap electronic items going to landfill each year1. Over a quarter (29%) said that they would be more likely to buy refurbished rather than new devices if it helped them reduce their environmental footprint.
“We are delighted to reach this milestone, and it reflects the trust and loyalty our customers have placed in iD Mobile. Achieving 1.5 million subscriptions is not just a number: it's a testament to our team's dedication and our customers' belief in the value we provide, In a time where 9 out of 10 people in the UK are affected by the cost-of-living crisis and 72% of them intending to economise their spending – particularly on utilities – iD’s emphasis on delivering outstanding value to customers has become more relevant than ever before.”
Rohit Vedi
iD Mobile Managing Director
On average, when comparing them to the major networks, customers can save £215 per year on phone plans, whilst SIM only customers can save an average of £12 per month. All of iD’s monthly phone and SIM only plans include great features and benefits as standard, including access to the UK's fastest 5G network at no extra cost, free data rollover, and the freedom to roam, at no extra cost, in 50 destinations, which is more than any other UK network. By prioritising the essential features and services customers need and desire from their mobile provider, iD have consistently been able to deliver on their promise of mobile without the unnecessary fluff that drives up cost. In their own words – it's 'Mobile Done Right'.
The combination of affordability, flexibility, and a feature-rich offering has earned them reputation as the "value" network, as recognized by Trusted Reviews, who named iD the 'Best Value Network’ in 2022, with its SIM only offering again being endorsed as 'Great Value' by Which? in October 2023.
The success is also closely tied to iD Mobile’s partnership with Three UK, one that has been strengthened recently with the renewal of their multi-year commercial agreement in 2023. This has enabled iD to further enhance their competitiveness and market leadership on pricing while ensuring that their customers will continue to benefit from Three as the UK’s fastest 5G network, as well as 4G network coverage that spans 99% of the UK population.
For more information on iD Mobile please visit: www.idmobile.co.uk
As part of its Black Friday deals, customers can get up to £50 off selected refurbished mobiles until Tuesday 28th November… but don’t hang around as stock isn’t expected to last, with 80% of Currys’ initial refurbished product lines selling out within a week of their launch earlier this year.
Currys’ research suggests that deal-savvy consumers and an increasing trust in refurbished retailers are both accelerating this boom, with half of respondents (47%) saying that buying refurbished tech appeals to them as it helps them to save money. A third (34%) suggested that being able to buy from a well-known retailer, like Currys – which offers refurbed customers a 12-month technical guarantee for extra peace of mind – makes them more likely to shop second-hand.
Customers are able to access the deals online at currys.co.uk where they can be purchased with the same payment and delivery options as any other product, with support available in any one of Currys’ 301 UK&I stores if required.
Digging deeper into the data, the ‘refurbished revolution’ appears to be led by younger generations, with 67% of 18–24 year-olds more likely to buy refurbished tech this year compared to this time last year.
Whilst environmental concerns are very real for this age group – four in five (83%) said that they were concerned by the e-waste crisis; one in three (31%) want to actively reduce their environmental footprint – refurbished tech also appeals to them when it can be bought with flexible credit options. A quarter (24%) said they would be more likely to buy a refurbished item if it could be purchased with flexible payment options like interest-free credit, compared to the all-ages average of 10%.
“We know that our customers are buying into the refurbished revolution for two main reasons: a desire to be more environmentally mindful – buying a refurbished product means that a valuable device remains in use, rather than being left unused, discarded or recycled – and amazing value for money, with top of the range devices available at a cut-price cost. We’re incredibly proud to support our customers on both of these fronts, thanks to our team in Newark who repair, refurbish and re-sell a whole host of previously unwanted tech at amazing prices.
Then, there’s the fact that we now sell refurbished devices right alongside new items. 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. Three incredibly compelling reasons to buy refurbed.”
Steve Pendleton
Services Director, Currys
1 According to research undertaken by Material Focus, revealed in October 2023
2 Currys owns Europe’s largest electronics repair lab, located in Newark All other research conducted on
Currys’ behalf by OnePoll from 10th – 16th October 2023, polling a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults.
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