63% of Canadians Bought Refurbished, Open Box, or Traded-In Tech This Year

August 17, 2026

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

As part of the 2026 Back-to-School campaign, Best Buy Canada partnered with third-party researcher, Angus Reid, to explore how Canadians are shopping for technology and what matters most in their purchase decisions. The results highlight a growing opportunity in open box, refurbished and trade-in technology, and reinforces how customer interests are evolving. 

Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadians have purchased refurbished, open-box or traded-in technology in the past year, with Gen Z leading the way at 71 per cent. 

While saving money remains the biggest motivator, Gen Z is also looking for ways to reduce e-waste and make more sustainable choices. For this generation, affordability and sustainability are increasingly connected. 

As shoppers look for more choice, better value and ways to make their tech go further, refurbished, open box and trade-in options are becoming a more familiar part of the purchase journey. They offer Canadians more flexibility when finding the right device, while helping extend the life of electronics. 

Check out the full report here!