Refurbished market

The commercial
power of refurbished consumer electronics.

Refurbished consumer electronic products offer far more than an accessible entry-price proposition. Used effectively, they can broaden product choice, help customers access premium technology, accelerate upgrades, generate additional accessory, warranty, and cross-selling opportunities, attract customers from competing sellers and strengthen loyalty. 

10 pages9 min readPublished on By the Alchemy research team

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Three findings at a glance
55%

of consumers said they would consider switching to a competing supplier for a high-quality refurbished option.

60%

of consumers said buying refurbished enabled them to upgrade sooner.

52%

of consumers said that cost savings on a primary device purchase made them more likely to spend on accessories, warranties, or other additional products.

Explore the data

Products that consumers have bought refurbished

Region
Smartphone29%
Smartwatch12%
Tablet or e-reader13%
Laptop or desktop computer21%
Gaming and home entertainment16%
Beauty and personal care10%
Floor care10%
None of the above39%
Source: Alchemy proprietary research, n=11,218
Executive summary

What's inside this report

Discover how refurbished consumer electronics can help sellers acquire customers, unlock premium purchases and increase customer lifetime value, exploring the commercial opportunity beyond simply offering a lower-priced alternative to new.

You'll learn
  • Where gaps between consumer awareness, consideration and availability are limiting refurbished product sales.
  • How to price refurbished electronics according to product age and condition.
  • How refurbished products can create upselling, cross-selling and earlier-upgrade opportunities.
  • How a trusted refurbished experience can improve retention, encourage repeat purchases and attract new customers.

Refurbished consumer electronics represent a significant but underdeveloped commercial opportunity. Although 62% of consumers are aware of refurbished products, only 35% recall being offered one. Greater visibility and availability could help sellers convert existing demand, attract customers from competitors and reduce the risk of losing sales through a limited refurbished range.

The value extends beyond the initial sale. Refurbished products can support premium upgrades, cross-selling, earlier replacement cycles and stronger residual values. With 60% saying refurbished enables them to upgrade sooner and 72% more likely to return after a positive experience, success should be measured through total basket value and customer lifetime value, not product margin alone.

For this report, we surveyed 11,217 consumers across the US, UK, Germany and Poland in August 2026, covering seven consumer electronics categories. Samples were balanced by market, category, age and gender.

 

Table of contents

Inside the report

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Synopsis

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