eBay UK has launched its Certified Refurbished hub, which it said will allow consumers to find refurbished gadgets and products easier, in response to increased consumer demand for these as they look to shop more sustainably.

The e-commerce giant said products sold on the new hub have been inspected, cleaned, and refurbished by the manufacturer or a manufacturer-approved vendor, and that discounts will be of up to 30 per cent.

Initial partner brands include Dyson, Eve and GoPro, but eBay said it is looking to continue to onboard more sellers and brands over the next few months, building on the earlier roll out in the US and Australian markets.

eBay went on to claim searches for refurbished goods have already increased dramatically year-on-year, with searches for refurbished printers increasing 301 per cent.

Ebay also said that there had been an increase in searches for electronics such as refurbished TVs and laptops, which it said are up 103 per cent and 75 per cent respectively.

In addition, searches for refurbished coffee machines are up 35 per cent according to the e-commerce giant.

Ebay went on to highlight the potential sustainability benefits, claiming 438 double decker buses in weight worth of refurbished products were sold the in last year.

eBay’s Certified Refurbished hub is launching in two priority categories: electronics and homewares, but eBay said it is looking to expand the categories available.

“Demand for refurbished products has been growing for some time, but we know that the main barrier for some consumers has been the perceived risk that comes with purchasing a refurbished item,” said Matt Potter, eBay UK senior trading manager. “Our Certified Refurbished hub is designed to bring peace of mind to customers, allowing them to secure the products they love, like new for less, and at the high quality they deserve.”

He added: “We’re really looking forward to working with our sellers and brands on this venture, allowing them to open up new revenue streams, maximise the margin on returns, and create a more sustainable supply chain, too.”

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