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Back Market Enhances Back-to-School Shopping with New Partnerships and Insights

As the back-to-school season approaches, many families are rethinking their technology purchases. Back Market, a premier marketplace for high-quality refurbished gadgets, has stepped in to assist parents in making financially savvy choices by offering quality refurbished products. This year, they have also partnered with educational platforms Duolingo and Spotify, extending their value proposition.

Refurbished Tech Gains Popularity

A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll indicates that nearly 80% of parents with school-aged kids are open to purchasing refurbished tech this academic year. In an age where tech costs are spiraling upwards, parents are prioritizing the quality of devices over their newness, with 80% preferring to buy a top-tier refurbished gadget rather than a basic new one at the same price.

Lauren Benton, Back Market's U.S. General Manager, emphasizes that back-to-school shopping is increasingly about making intelligent decisions rather than simply acquiring the latest tech. "Parents want technology they can rely upon without bearing an excessive cost. This survey illustrates that refurbished devices are poised as the stars of this school season," she notes.

Insights from the Survey

The survey revealed a strong emphasis on value, as parents navigate economic pressures while shopping:

• - Reliability Over Appearance: Of the parents surveyed, 96% expressed concerns about buying refurbished devices. Their primary worries concentrated on battery reliability (47%) rather than cosmetic issues (30%) or the stigma around using refurbished tech (only 18%).
• - Smart Financial Decision: A whopping 85% acknowledged that buying refurbished tech for school is a wise financial choice. However, only 31% reported buying from dedicated refurbished retailers, signaling a potential growth opportunity in this sector.

New Partnerships Introduced

To enhance customer savings even further, Back Market is introducing partnerships with Duolingo and Spotify, blending tech purchases with educational and entertainment benefits. Starting this July in the U.S., families purchasing learning devices like laptops and iPads will receive a free month of Super Duolingo.

Similarly, from August, any Back Market purchase will come with an offer for a trial of up to 4 months of Spotify Premium, including special deals for students. Joy Howard, Chief Marketing Officer at Back Market, highlights the initiative: "Money-saving should not end at the device purchase; our partnerships extend those savings into everyday platforms that families can utilize."

Must-Have Refurbished Devices

In light of the rising costs of typical tech products, Back Market highlighted several essential devices for students this season:

• - Smartphones: Consider the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
• - Laptops: Options like the MacBook Air M4 or MacBook Pro M1 are ideal.
• - Tablets: The updated Apple iPad Pro M2 features prominently for student use.
• - Smart Watches: For those into smart wearables, the Apple Watch Series 10 or Galaxy Watch 7 are recommended.

Survey Methodology

Conducted between June 4 and June 8, 2026, the survey sampled 936 parents of children under 18 in school, providing insights accurate to a confidence level of 95% with a margin of error of +/-4.4 percentage points. For more details on the survey methodology, please reach out to Back Market directly.

About Back Market

Founded in 2014, Back Market operates across 17 countries, committed to offering verified refurbished technology. Their mission extends beyond connecting consumers with high-quality devices; Back Market is dedicated to reducing electronic waste and fostering a more sustainable tech economy.

For more on the back-to-school offerings and partnerships, check out Back Market’s Back-to-School page.