Platforms like Temu — through its new Local Seller Program — have given small businesses a fresh way to capture that demand.
As economic pressures mount globally, refurbished device sellers are seeing unprecedented demand, with some revenue jumps of 50% or more.
Affordability is at the heart of the surge. A recent Kantar survey across 13 European countries found that 46% of respondents had bought a used phone, up from 43% a year earlier. More than half said they were open to doing so in the future, with affordability cited as the main reason by 66%. The shift plays out in real lives too.
As The Wall Street Journal reported, KC Lau, a nanny in Phoenix, wanted a folding Samsung phone but not at the $1,900 price tag—so she bought a used one for $500. “I honestly don't see why everyone doesn't do this,” she said. “I can have this phone and feel like I can still pay rent.”
More than 208 million used phones were shipped worldwide in 2024, with the market valued at roughly $75 billion, according to market research company IDC. Used devices represented 14.4% of global phone sales last year, a share expected to reach 16.6% by 2029.
The global market reflects that change. Market research reports indicate that the secondhand mobile phone industry is already worth tens of billions of dollars annually and is on track to more than double in size over the next decade. Even the most cautious forecasts see steady, double-digit growth, while more bullish outlooks suggest the market for refurbished smartphones could surpass the $150 billion mark worldwide.
Platforms like Temu—through its new Local Seller Program—have given small businesses a fresh way to capture that demand. The program enables businesses to sell directly on the marketplace, with lower fees, streamlined onboarding, and a discovery-driven model, helping keep prices competitive in a low-margin category.
In New Jersey, Creative Technology Innovations, led by 38-year-old founder Albert Maimon, joined Temu in April and saw immediate growth. By July, daily revenue climbed to USD 10,000, a 50% increase from June. “We expected Temu to be a nice extra channel, not one that would exceed our projections in just a few months,” he said.
Selling under the name Tech Pirate, Maimon moved more than 4,800 items in his first three months —with growth outpacing his other e-commerce outlets. Quick turnover matters for refurbished goods, as models depreciate once newer versions come out.
“Any real issue we have gets resolved, and Temu supports both the customer and the seller,” he added. “The market is maturing, and we’re seeing demand across all demographics, not just during seasonal peaks.”
In Germany, Trendyoo holds more than half of the national market in refurbished phones—devices that already make up about 18% of the market. Within three weeks of joining Temu, that platform accounted for 20% of its revenue, said CEO Nuri Goksu. Temu brought new customers and speed to the sales cycle in a crowded market.
In London, Fone Central's founder, Yasin Chanawala, started by helping a friend ship phones. On Temu, he sold more than 10 high-value phones in just three days, an outcome he called “something that caught us completely off guard.”
From his perspective, this reflects growing acceptance. “Nowadays, a lot of people no longer chase the latest iPhones,” Goksu said. “Refurbished phones save money and help the planet. So it’s become a mainstream product.”
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