{"id":995786,"date":"2026-08-17T05:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T09:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/study-63-per-cent-of-canadians-have-bought-refurbished-open-box-or-traded-in-technology-in-the-past-year-driven-by-cost-environmental-impact-and-product-value\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T05:03:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T09:03:02","slug":"study-63-per-cent-of-canadians-have-bought-refurbished-open-box-or-traded-in-technology-in-the-past-year-driven-by-cost-environmental-impact-and-product-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/study-63-per-cent-of-canadians-have-bought-refurbished-open-box-or-traded-in-technology-in-the-past-year-driven-by-cost-environmental-impact-and-product-value\/","title":{"rendered":"STUDY: 63 Per Cent of Canadians Have Bought Refurbished, Open Box or Traded in Technology in the Past Year, Driven by Cost, Environmental Impact, and Product Value"},"content":{"rendered":"

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STUDY: 63 Per Cent of Canadians Have Bought Refurbished, Open Box or Traded in Technology in the Past Year, Driven by Cost, Environmental Impact, and Product Value<\/b><\/p>\n

Canadian Gen Z are outpacing every generation when it comes to buying refurbished, open box or traded in technology, with 44 per cent listing environmental impact as a factor<\/i><\/p>\n

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nAhead of back-to-school, one of the largest shopping moments for electronics, Canadians are rethinking what \u201cnew\u201d means to them when buying tech. A new report from Best Buy Canada found that 63 per cent of Canadians have purchased refurbished, open box or traded in devices in the past year, but openness varies by generation, pointing to a growing divide in how Canadians purchase technology and what draws them to supporting the circular economy in the first place.<\/p>\n

\nThe 2026 Back-to-School Tech Shopping Report,<\/b> conducted by Best Buy Canada<\/a>, found that 71 per cent of Gen Z have purchased recirculated technology (open box, refurbished, or trade-in) in the past year, with millennials and Gen X trailing slightly behind at 65 per cent, followed by 55 per cent of boomers.<\/p>\n

\nWhile consideration across all age groups is high, the why<\/i> behind each purchase differs. Saving money remains a top motivator across all age demographics, including 81 per cent of Gen Z and millennials, but reducing environmental impact is the second most important factor for Gen Z (44 per cent), millennials (40 per cent), and Gen X (30 per cent), compared to only 24 per cent of boomers.<\/p>\n

\nThis gap points to how young Canadians think about technology ownership. For Gen Z and millennials, buying isn\u2019t just a budget decision; it\u2019s weighed against their own values. Extending a device’s life, keeping it out of the landfill, and ensuring it is responsibly recycled at the end of its lifecycle are becoming key considerations for young Canadians throughout the circular product journey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A contributor to the increase in recirculated technology purchases? Access.<\/b><\/p>\n

\n\u201cThe category looks vastly different now than a few years ago, and with the scale of new product releases from top brands over the last few years, there\u2019s no shortage of quality in the secondary market as Canadians have opted to upgrade to newer models,\u201d says Mark Leahy, Senior Director, Service Programs, Service Centres & Reverse Logistics.<\/b> \u201cCanadians have more options for non-new technology making it more accessible than ever before. For those looking for cost savings, buying a refurbished, open box or traded in device is a way to bring down initial costs while still getting a product that is in great condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does age impact whether Canadians buy refurbished technology?<\/b><\/p>\n

\nRefurbished products are used electronics that have been inspected, tested, repaired, and restored through a certified refurbishment process<\/a>. According to Best Buy Canada, refurbished products save customers about 40 per cent off the original retail price, and come with a minimum three-month guarantee, giving Canadians added peace of mind.<\/p>\n

\nThose savings are a big reason a growing number of Canadians are choosing refurbished, which helps stretch their budget and gives them access to newer models with more features. That appeal is especially strong among younger generations. Among Gen Z and millennials who have not purchased refurbished products in the past year, 35 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively, say they would consider doing so.<\/p>\n

What are open box products?<\/b><\/p>\n

\nOpen box products are items that have been unboxed, returned or previously used for in-store displays. It has the broadest appeal among younger shoppers, with Gen Z (47 per cent) and millennials (45 per cent) showing the highest rates of consideration, though interest sits above 30 per cent across all generations.<\/p>\n

\nOn average, open box products save around 28 per cent off the original sales price, making them a great option for Canadians who want a specific model, or want to step up to more features, without paying full price.<\/p>\n

What recirculated electronics are Canadians buying?<\/b><\/p>\n

\nThe most popular refurbished product categories are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \nWireless<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \nLaptops<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \nComputers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \nTablets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \nVideo game consoles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \nThe most popular open box product categories are:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \nLaptops<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    2. \nWireless<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    3. \nTVs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    4. \nTablets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
    5. \nWearables<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How are parents shopping for electronics?<\/b><\/p>\n

      \nThis Back-to-School season, Canadian parents are also turning to recirculated technology purchases. About 53 per cent of parents with children ages four to five have purchased open box technology, dipping as children get older and resurging to 48 per cent among parents of children ages 13 to 17.<\/p>\n

      \nAdditionally, when looking to replace existing devices, 84 per cent of parents have traded in technology<\/a> or considered trading in, giving them increased cost savings and opportunities to upgrade.<\/p>\n

      Beyond recirculated technology, what are the most important factors when buying electronics this back-to-school season?<\/b><\/p>\n

      \nPrice continues to be a main purchase factor across all generations, but durability is a growing consideration for Gen Z (25.1 per cent) and parents (23 per cent) who are looking to ensure they are buying products that will last.<\/p>\n

      \nWhen shopping for electronics, parents with teenagers (ages 13-17) are the most price-driven technology buyers (39 per cent), significantly higher compared to parents with kids ages six to nine (25 per cent) and those with no kids at home (24 per cent).<\/p>\n

      \nAcross provinces, spending also varies.<\/p>\n