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
VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ahead of back-to-school, one of the largest shopping moments for electronics, Canadians are rethinking what “new” 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.
The 2026 Back-to-School Tech Shopping Report, conducted by Best Buy Canada, 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.
While consideration across all age groups is high, the why 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.
This gap points to how young Canadians think about technology ownership. For Gen Z and millennials, buying isn’t just a budget decision; it’s 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 contributor to the increase in recirculated technology purchases? Access.
“The 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’s no shortage of quality in the secondary market as Canadians have opted to upgrade to newer models,” says Mark Leahy, Senior Director, Service Programs, Service Centres & Reverse Logistics. “Canadians 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.”
Does age impact whether Canadians buy refurbished technology?
Refurbished products are used electronics that have been inspected, tested, repaired, and restored through a certified refurbishment process. 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.
Those 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.
What are open box products?
Open 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.
On 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.
What recirculated electronics are Canadians buying?
The most popular refurbished product categories are:
- Wireless
- Laptops
- Computers
- Tablets
- Video game consoles
The most popular open box product categories are:
- Laptops
- Wireless
- TVs
- Tablets
- Wearables
How are parents shopping for electronics?
This 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.
Additionally, when looking to replace existing devices, 84 per cent of parents have traded in technology or considered trading in, giving them increased cost savings and opportunities to upgrade.
Beyond recirculated technology, what are the most important factors when buying electronics this back-to-school season?
Price 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.
When 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).
Across provinces, spending also varies.
- Across Canada, Quebec and Ontario are the most price-conscious (33 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively)
- Following price, Ontarians also value reviews and recommendations, while brand reputation is the second most important factor for Quebec
- In British Columbia, reviews and recommendations matter most when buying new technology (29 per cent)
ABOUT BEST BUY CANADA
A wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest and most innovative omnichannel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, Best Buy Express and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands. With over 300 Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Best Buy Express stores across Canada and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, Best Buy is a leader in total retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education. For more information, visit BestBuy.ca.
INTERNAL DATA METHODOLOGY
Data is based on Best Buy Canada’s online and in-store sales figures across all product categories, including open box, trade-in, and refurbished from February 1, 2026 to July 23, 2026. Best Buy Canada processes millions of electronics sales across Canada coast-to-coast.
ANGUS REID METHODOLOGY
These findings are from a survey conducted by Best Buy Canada from July 17th to July 21st, 2026, among a representative sample of 1500 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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