Decathlon launches bike take-back scheme in the UK

The ‘BuyBack’ service will enable customers to ‘upcycle their bicycle’. They can resell their old bikes back to Decathlon for up to 45% of the RRP in store credit. Adult bikes and children’s bikes will be covered by the scheme.

Bikes sold to Decathlon will be prepared for resale or for use through the retailer’s rental platform.

Decathlon hopes, in time, to extend the BuyBack offer to all product categories including kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, rackets and fitness equipment. It stated that it had started off with bikes due to how many Brits are likely to be hoarding at least one unused bike in their shed or garage, estimating that at least 1.2 million bikes are sitting idle.

BuyBack is already on offer in several markets elsewhere in Europe. In these markets, Decathlon has refurbished more than 250,000 products. Refurbished bikes have proven particularly popular in Belgium, where they now account for 40% of the retailer’s bike sales.

Decathlon hopes to refurbish 15,000 bikes a year in the UK by 2025.

Decathlon UK’s sustainability leader Chris Allen said: “With the cost of living still continuing to impact sport and fitness participation across the UK, at Decathlon we are determined to ensure that sport participation continues and is not affected by the rising cost of goods.”

The retailer is marketing the offer as one which “works wonders for your wallet and the planet”.

Recommerce boom

A recent survey of 400 British retailers found that 46% now provide a platform for customers to resell previously purchased goods and 27% are considering implementing this kind of offering.

Of the retailers already offering recommerce models (resale, swapping or rental), eight in ten found that it resulted in a revenue boost.

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