The demand for used smartphones escalates significantly among Romanians, with roughly half the population opting for refurbished devices in response to shifting market conditions.
Scoop: European Refurbished Smartphone Goliath, Recommerce, Unveils Romania Results of Annual Surveys
Get ready to leave a smaller carbon footprint and save some dough—refurbished smartphones are taking over the European market, and Romania is jumping on the bandwagon!
In a nutshell, the global refurbished smartphone trade is thriving. According to IDC (International Data Corporation), by 2027, it's predicted to sell an incredible 431 million units annually—up from a projected 283 million in 2023, reporting a whopping 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Recommerce, the Flemish champion of re-commerce, reveals that in 2024 alone, Romania raked in over 200,000 refurbished smartphone sales, marking impressive year-over-year growth. This mind-boggling figure boasts a grand total of 50 million EUR revenue for the country!
Second-Hand Smarty-Pants in Romania 📱💸
KANTAR's online survey, conducted across 6,750 participants throughout Europe between January 6-13, 2025, unearthed compelling findings on Romania's resurging affinity for second-hand devices.
A staggering 57% of Romanians have purchased a second-hand smartphone, consistent with previous years. What's even more fascinating is that 30% of those who have witnessed the recommerce revolution opted for professionally refurbished models—thereby displaying burgeoning trust in certified sources. Placing their bets on the future, 63% of Romanians aim to purchase a refurbished smartphone—a 2% increase from 2023, leapfrogging the average Euro zone expectation of 55%.
Why the Fuss About Refurbished Smartphones? 💰🌱
Money, honey! Price is hands-down the primary enticement for Romanians diving into the refurbished smartphone market, with a whopping 72% citing affordability as their top motivation.
Additional factors like environmental concerns (26%) and trust-building aspects such as warranty (29%) and after-sales service (18%, +3pts) are gaining ground.
Virtual or Physical Retail - Who Needs Stores Anyways? 🛍️💻
Although the internet reigns supreme as the dominant sales platform in Romania (78%), brick-and-mortar stores are quickly catching up. A jaw-dropping 53% of Romanians now favor in-store purchases—a staggering 8% increase from last year!
With a preference for specialists (41%) and mobile operator stores (37%), up from 23% in 2023, physical retail seems to be making a comeback, as consumers appreciate the hands-on experience and direct assistance when buying refurbished smartphones.
The Crowning Jewel – The Trade-In Market ♻️💰
32% of Romanians have already sold a used smartphone, matching the level of mature markets like France. Goodbye, dusty drawers—only 45% still keep old phones stored for emergencies, plunging a worrying 8% compared to the past. Enterprising Romanians are beginning to monetize their old devices, with 30% planning to resell their current smartphones, while only 23% would give the device away—a 10% drop from earlier editions.
"We've witnessed a burgeoning demand for refurbished smartphones in Romania, with many still preferring peer-to-peer transactions," said Hector Destailleur, General Manager for Central Eastern Europe at Recommerce.
"To win the consumer's trust, we're adamant about providing stellar refurbishing, 12 to 24 months of warranties, and secure sales experiences", Destailleur added.
In 2024, Recommerce expanded its footprint to national telecom operators and retailers and traded up its activities to include trade-in. Recently, Recommerce ventured into Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Slovenia, with more territories in sight. They're gunning for 30% growth in 2025!
"The refurbished smartphone market in Romania is booming, but many consumers still gravitate towards informal transactions," says Grégoire Vigroux, Co-Founder and Advisor, Recommerce Eastern Europe. "We're focused on establishing trust through quality reconditioning, extended warranties, and solid sales experiences."
Established in 2009, Recommerce pioneered the high-tech reconditioning realm, boasting refurbished devices sold through telecom operators, retailers, and its own platform www.recommerce.com. Using AI-driven industrial processes, Recommerce is committed to a circular, socially responsible economy, holding certifications including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001. Moreover, it’s been awarded the RecQ label by DEKRA and a Gold rating from Ecovadis for its commendable CSR strategy.
*This is a Press release.
- Romania exhibited a significant 57% of its population purchasing second-hand smartphones in the latest KANTAR survey, maintaining a consistent trend from previous years.
- Refurbished smartphones have piqued the interest of 30% of Romanian consumers who opted for professionally refurbished models, indicating a growing trust in certified sources.
- The projection for 2025 reveals a 2% increase in Romanians aiming to buy refurbished smartphones, surpassing the average European zone expectation of 55%.
- Price is the primary motivator for 72% of Romanians delving into the refurbished smartphone market, with environmental concerns, warranty, and after-sales service also gaining traction.
- While the internet leads the sales platform in Romania with 78% dominance, physical retail stores have seen a significant 8% increase in preferred in-store purchases, valuing the hands-on experience and direct assistance.
- In 2024, Recommerce, a leader in the refurbished smartphone market, expanded its reach in Romania to national telecom operators and retailers, aiming for a 30% growth in 2025 and venturing into more European territories.
