Inside Back Market's 2024 Global Press Conference

Drumroll, please.  Back Market has just hosted its first-ever global press conference from Rue La Fayette in Paris.

With a packed agenda, this event showcased our company’s achievements over the last 10 years, highlighting how we have consistently gone the extra mile to make buying refurbished tech the mainstream choice.

This was also an opportunity to give a global audience an exclusive look at new products, partnerships, and features as we further establish our leadership position within the refurbished industry.

At 11 am CET on the 19 September, Back Market co-founder Thibaud Hug de Larauze took the stage along with Chief Marketing Officer Joy Howard,  Chief Product Officer Amandine Durr and Back Market tech expert Kewin Charron, to unveil a number of new projects, partnerships and services set to launch in 2024 and 2025.

Thibaud Hug de Larauze

“We’re not just expanding the refurbished market; we are building a sustainable future,” says Back Market’s co-founder. “We’re here to disrupt. We’re here to challenge. But most of all, we’re here to change.”

As he took to the stage, Back Market’s vision for the next 10 years was made crystal clear. Hug de Larauze wants refurbished tech to be the first choice for every consumer to create a more sustainable future.

Since 2014, Back Market has proven that the circular economy isn’t just a theory — it’s a powerful, profitable model.

The numbers speak for themselves. The CEO went on to explain how the business is now profitable in Europe, with standout success across France and Spain. But these results are more than just financial — they’re the signal of a deep cultural shift in how people consume.

Laying the groundwork for a refurbished revolution, he went on to explain the latest strategic partnerships that will further strengthen Back Market’s position in the market.

Bouygues

If you’re in France, prepare for some elite phone plans. We’ve expanded our partnership with top telco the Bouygues network to offer super affordable monthly plans, so you can get even more bang for your buck when buying a refurbished phone.

Visible by Verizon

If you’re in the US, every smartphone purchased on Back Market will come with access to a $20/month offer to the Visible unlimited plan, for the first 12 months and $25/month after that. This is a savings of $60 per user for the first year and if you factor in the cost of a new device compared to the cost of a Verified Refurbished device on Back Market the savings are much more. The combined value of these 2 brands makes access to high-quality tech and an exceptional wireless experience more affordable than ever.

PlayStation

We don’t just do phones. We launched as the official trade-in partner for PlayStation, allowing you to get some extra juicy deals when trading in your old gaming console.

The suite of products unveiled by Chief Product Officer, Amandine Durr marks the 10th anniversary of Back Market and focuses on creating a more accessible, easy-to-navigate experience for customers.

Verified Refurbished

Verified Refurbished by Back Market means refurbished devices you can trust. Each device undergoes an inspection by industry professionals to ensure it’s up to standard. Learn more about Verified Refurbished.

Premium

Our devices are going to the upper echelon. We’ve launched a new device grade – Premium – that’s above Excellent. See what Premium looks like.

Your devices

Back Market devices are for life, so let’s help you keep them for that long. We’ve launched a new app in the US and UK full of tips, tricks, and expert advice to keep your devices in top shape for longer. We’ll roll this out in other countries in the coming months so watch this space.

Shake to Trade-in

Let your phone shimmy. This November, we launch our newest app feature that allows you to trade in your device just by shaking your phone – how’s that for ease?

AI device comparison

Can’t decide which refurbished device is right for you? We have a new tool that will solve just that. AI device comparison is launching via the Back Market app in 2025 and it’s set to give further clarity and detailed insight into the life expectancy of a refurbished device, its performance, and repairability. Powered by generative AI and our in-house data team, customers will be able to make a more informed choice before pulling the trigger.

Express Replacement

Launching in early 2025, if you have any problems with your purchase a replacement device will be shipped out the same day for free.

Did you know that we have not 1, but 2 innovation labs at Back Market? In New York and Bordeaux we have a team of tech experts that test device quality, place mystery orders to ensure the quality of our sellers and consistently find new technology and new ways of working.

When he’s not heading up the Bordeaux lab, Kewin Charron is sharing his knowledge with press, panels and colleagues. His appearance at the Back Market Global Press Conference was no exception. Doing what he does best, Charron walked the audience through an explanation of parts pairing – which is where brands like Apple are preventing refurbishers from using compatible parts, making refurbishment more expensive. Compatible parts are not issued by OEMs but can provide high-quality performance with proper testing and inspection. It’s dramatically affecting the right-to-repair movement and refurbishment industry. 

Our newly appointed CMO joins with a wealth of experience from companies like Converse, Patagonia and Sonos. With a vision of taking Back Market to the next level, here are a few global projects the marketing team are working on, set to make a stamp later this year.

Downgrade now

We’re taking a deeper look at how people actually use technology — making calls, texting friends, taking photos, listening to music — you don’t need to upgrade to the latest device to achieve that. Refurbished phones not only cater to your daily needs, but they’re also more affordable and better for the planet. 

Instead of caving into the pressure to upgrade to new, spurred by companies like Apple who launch multiple iterations of a similar device every year, we’re asking tech fans and users, do you need the newest model? Are you really using your device to its maximum capacity or will a trusty iPhone 12 do a banging job without breaking the bank?

We’ve partnered up with Canadian artist and designer Gab Bois to make a dream capsule collection just in time for the holiday season. Transforming discarded tech into wearable accessories, you can buy these exclusive items online from December so keep your eyes peeled.

Phone!

For all the things you really do, you don’t need new. At a fraction of the cost and for a limited time only, Phone! will be available to purchase across the US and France. It dials, it texts, it snaps – all the things you need (or your money back).