Back Market, the Paris-headquartered refurbished electronics marketplace, has seen a surge in demand following U.S. tariffs. According to CEO Thibaud Hug de Larauze, the platform’s sales tripled in just one week after tariffs were announced. This unexpected growth spurt came as consumers feared rising costs for new electronics, prompting early purchases of used and refurbished devices.
Consumer fear drives fast decisions
Thibaud Hug de Larauze speculates that U.S. consumers may have rushed to replace electronics before potential price hikes took effect. “Maybe some people rushed into [replacing their smartphones or computers] earlier, because they were afraid it's going to cost so much more weeks from now,” he told CNBC Make It.
Refurbished devices gain traction in US
The U.S. is traditionally a new-device-focused market, but Back Market sees growing interest in refurbished tech, especially when new device prices surge. The firm, which sells used Apple iPhones, laptops, and other electronics on their marketplace, operates in 18 global markets and is available in 14 European countries and in the US, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Environmental impact drives mission
Back Market’s model aims to curb e-waste and reduce carbon emissions. Since its founding in 2014, the company has sold over 30 million devices, helping avoid approximately 1.6 million tons of CO₂. By extending the life of tech products, Back Market is trying to align financial growth with environmental benefit but faces that this is not an easy task.
Strong backing accelerates expansion
The firm’s growth has been fueled by high-profile investors including Goldman Sachs, Eurazeo Growth, and Aglaé Ventures. These partnerships have helped scale the platform and support its mission to normalize refurbished devices as a smart and sustainable alternative.
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