MediaMarkt Refurbished officially live in all Dutch stores

The launch of MediaMarkt Refurbished is particularly significant given the retailer’s strong position in the Dutch electronics market. MediaMarkt Netherlands, the Dutch arm of the German consumer electronics giant, that is being acquired by Chinese JD.com, opened its first store in Rotterdam in November 1999. The company quickly gained traction by introducing a large-format “supermarket” model for consumer electronics, coupled with aggressive low-price strategies that reshaped the retail landscape. Today, MediaMarkt operates around 54 physical stores across the Netherlands, supported by a strong online platform that serves millions of customers each year.

Two trade-in programs in parallel

Interestingly, there now appear to be two active trade-in programs operating within MediaMarkt’s Dutch network. Alongside the new GSM Parts Center initiative, the retailer also maintains a partnership with Swedish trade-in specialist Foxway. For store staff, managing both systems simultaneously could create some operational challenges. However, it looks like that GSM Parts Center is active instore and Foxway runs MediaMarkt's online trade-in.

This dual approach also underlines the growing importance of trade-in and refurbishment models for electronics retailers. With European consumers becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of e-waste, programs like these play a crucial role in extending product lifecycles and reducing resource consumption.

How the trade-in process works

Under the new model, the process starts on the shop floor. Customers bring their used device to a MediaMarkt store, where it is evaluated instantly using automated software that determines its trade-in value. Once accepted, the device is collected and sent to GSM Parts Center’s refurbishment facility in the Netherlands. There, each smartphone undergoes a professional refurbishment process that includes testing, repair, cleaning, and quality control before being certified for resale as a high-grade refurbished product.

The result is a device that looks and performs like new but comes at a lower cost and with a smaller environmental footprint. This approach helps MediaMarkt and GSM Parts Center close the loop on reuse and circularity, reducing electronic waste and promoting a more responsible consumption model.

A strategic collaboration for the future

The collaboration between MediaMarkt and GSM Parts Center brings together two complementary strengths. MediaMarkt’s extensive retail network and consumer reach create a perfect platform for trade-in and resale, while GSM Parts Center contributes its deep expertise in smartphone refurbishment, repair components, and circular supply chain management.

For GSM Parts Center, headquartered in the Netherlands, this partnership represents an important strategic step. Over the years, the company has grown from a parts distributor into a full-service refurbishment and trade-in solutions provider serving the European secondary smartphone market. The MediaMarkt Refurbished project integrates these capabilities into a visible, consumer-facing retail experience.