CEO and co-founder of Back Market Thibaud Hug de Larauze is recognize by American Time Magazine as an innovator and listed in the TIME100 Next. Hug de Larauze saw the listing as a personal honour, but he consistently framed it as belonging to a wider movement. He thanked colleagues, verified resellers, partners and millions of consumers for helping make repair and refurbishment mainstream. For Hug de Larauze the accolade is a moment to amplify a simple message: technology should last, and repair should be normal.
How Back Market began
Back Market launched in 2014 to aggregate verified sellers and reduce buyer friction in refurbished device purchases. At that time fewer than 5% of smartphones sold in France were refurbished. The refurbished share now approaches 36%, a shift that coincided with improved verification practices, clearer warranties and more accessible trade-in programmes managed by platforms such as Back Market.
Marketplace model and scale
Back Market operates as a curated marketplace hosting verified resellers and managing trade-in programmes for manufacturers. The platform reports more than 15 million customers across 17 markets. By creating standards for refurbishment and offering quality guarantees, the company aims to reduce perceived risk for buyers and to make reuse a credible alternative to new purchases. For example, refurbished Apple iPhone models are listed with clear condition grading and warranty options.
Social impact and pilot results
Beyond commercial activity, Back Market invests in social programmes that train unemployed people in repair skills and partners with nongovernmental organisations to redistribute devices to those in need. In a French pilot recycling programme, more than 15% of collected electronics were refurbished and resold, largely via NGO channels, while the remainder entered recycling streams. These results show how reuse can divert material from waste flows while creating social value.
Profitability and business case
The company’s reported profitability in Europe is frequently cited by Hug de Larauze as proof that circular business models can be financially viable. When scale, logistics and verification converge, circular practices can align with sustainable revenue streams. That framing positions refurbishment not only as an environmental imperative but also as a legitimate commercial opportunity for investors and manufacturers.
Policy and practical levers
Industry observers point to pragmatic next steps to accelerate adoption. Stronger right to repair legislation, standardized refurbishing certification, incentives for trade-in programmes and investment in repair training could lower barriers to scale. Policymakers, manufacturers and marketplaces are urged to coordinate on design for repairability and on transparent verification so consumers can trust reused devices.
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