French refurbisher Recommerce is entering 2026 after a year defined by operational discipline and strategic recalibration within a volatile global recommerce environment. In 2025, the company reached break-even while delivering € 210 million in annual turnover, a milestone that reflects increasing maturity across European trade-in and secondary device flows. The result was achieved in a market characterised by pricing pressure, fluctuating consumer demand, and heightened competition among recommerce platforms and refurbishment partners.
Volume growth and device flows
Despite challenging conditions, Recommerce reported more than 20% year-over-year growth in buyback volumes. During 2025, the company facilitated the trade-in of over 1.1 million devices, signalling continued momentum in structured take-back programmes and lifecycle extension models. This growth was organic and closely linked to improving partner integration, device grading accuracy, and end-to-end process efficiency rather than aggressive discounting or unsustainable incentives.
Partnership-driven expansion
A key contributor to this performance was the addition of more than 30 new commercial partnerships across the year. These partnerships reinforced Recommerce’s position as an infrastructure layer for OEMs, retailers, operators, and refurbishment specialists seeking predictable, compliant, and scalable trade-in solutions. The expansion highlights how embedded recommerce services are becoming a standard component of circular electronics strategies rather than an experimental add-on.
Strategic consolidation in DACH
Geographic expansion also accelerated through the acquisition of Swiss trade-in company Verkaugen.ch, strengthening Recommerce’s footprint in the DACH region. The transaction reflects a broader consolidation trend within the secondary mobile market, where scale, regional density, and operational harmonisation are increasingly critical to managing margins and cross-border device flows. For Recommerce, the move enhances local sourcing while improving downstream resale optionality.
Technology as a growth lever
Looking ahead, Recommerce is positioning technology investment as a central driver of competitiveness. The company is accelerating the deployment of AI-powered tools designed to optimise trade-in experiences for partners and customers. These technologies are intended to improve device assessment, pricing consistency, and process automation, supporting higher recovery rates and reduced operational friction across the value chain.
Sustainability and measurable impact
Sustainability outcomes remain closely tied to business performance. In 2025, Recommerce achieved EcoVadis Gold status and generated over 30K carbon credits, reinforcing its positioning within responsible sourcing and circular economy frameworks. By linking environmental metrics directly to traded-in volumes and operational efficiency, the company continues to frame sustainability as a measurable contributor to long-term value creation.
Strategic outlook for 2026
For 2026, Recommerce has articulated a clear ambition to transcend market challenges by making innovation the foundation of a fair and responsible circular economy. As secondary smartphone markets mature, the company’s trajectory illustrates how recommerce players can align profitability, technology adoption, and sustainability outcomes at scale, even as the global used electronics landscape continues to evolve.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
