Demand for used IT equipment and electronics is on the rise

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Demand for used IT equipment and electronics is on the rise

The latest data from PMR indicate that the value of the market for used IT equipment and consumer electronics in 2023 approached 6.5 billion PLN, marking a 13% year-over-year increase. Demand for used products is driven primarily by the cyclical replacement of electronic devices, the popularity of leading classifieds platforms, and the observed rise in prices of new products, which motivates consumers to seek more affordable alternatives. Added to this is the growing segment of refurbished devices. PMR Forecasts indicate that the market will grow at a double-digit rate over the next four years.

C2C commerce accounts for the largest share, while B2C commerce shows the highest growth

Market Value and Growth of the Used IT Equipment and Consumer Electronics Market in Poland, 2021–2023

	2021	2022	2023
Value (billion PLN)	5.3	5.7	6.5
Growth Rate (% y/y)	17%	7%	13%

Source: PMR, 2024

Trade in Used IT Equipment

The trade in used IT equipment and consumer electronics relies heavily on consumer-to-consumer (C2C) transactions, which have gained popularity thanks to classifieds platforms such as OLX, Allegro Lokalnie, and local marketplaces.

A PMR survey conducted for this report among a sample of 5,446 adult Poles shows that, among those who buy used electronics, 60% purchased them from another private individual. It is important to note that the growth of classifieds platforms has not only led to the widespread trade in popular product categories, such as smartphones and laptops, but has also enabled the growth of trade in niche categories that are not typically served by stores and other retailers.

Where secondhand IT equipment and consumer electronics were most recently purchased in Poland, broken down by selected product categories (%), 2024

	Smartphone	Laptop	Desktop computer	TV	Monitor
From a private individual	49.3%	51.4%	63.8%	59.1%	58.8%
From the store	50.7%	48.6%	36.2%	40.9%	41.2%

Explanation: Based on a PMR survey conducted in February and March 2024 among a sample of 5,446 adult Poles. The survey was conducted using the CAWI method.
Source: PMR, 2024

Trade in Used Electronic Equipment

B2C commerce has been a rapidly growing segment in recent years and, according to forecasts, will surpass C2C commerce. This trend is strongly supported by the increasing professionalism of services related to the repair and refurbishment of electronic devices. This includes both companies specializing in this area and the largest e-commerce and classifieds platforms offering used electronics. These entities not only offer attractive prices but also guarantee the quality of their products and provide warranties, which convinces customers to choose these devices. According to PMR research, the trade in used electronics is a strong point for pawnshops.

It is also important to note the activities of the largest retail chains, which also offer display models or products returned by consumers. This does not account for a significant percentage of large retailers’ sales. Another completely new option is the ability to rent IT equipment.

Growth of the Refurbished IT and Consumer Electronics Market

In the coming years, the refurbished equipment segment will be a key driver of growth in the used IT and consumer electronics market. According to PMR estimates, spending on devices that underwent full or partial repair and refurbishment by the manufacturer or an authorized retailer prior to sale accounted for less than 10% of the analyzed market in 2023. During that time, a total of over half a million refurbished devices (including smartphones, laptops, and game consoles) were sold on the Polish market.

Forecast

Sales of refurbished IT equipment will gradually increase. This will result from growing consumer awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of purchasing such products. Some large suppliers (such as retail chains and telecommunications operators) can use this business to achieve their goals under their adopted sustainability strategies. The rapid growth of this market segment will be further driven by consumers’ desire to save money, especially given the constant introduction of new product models to the market. Refurbished electronics will enable consumers to own premium-class devices with advanced features at significantly lower prices.

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