Cashify, India’s leading recommerce platform, has shared timely insights from its Co-founder & CMO, Mr. Nakul Kumar, on key developments shaping the mobile and refurbished smartphone ecosystem.
On the impact of GST reforms on the mobile industry & refurbished market
“If GST on new smartphones is reduced, the affordability gap between new and refurbished devices will narrow. While this could slow down the pace of refurbished adoption in the short term, it will expand overall smartphone penetration — and in the long run, create a larger pool of devices that eventually flow into the refurbished market.”
On expectations from the festive season
“Festive months contribute almost 35–40% of India’s annual smartphone sales, and this year we expect that momentum to extend strongly into refurbished. With brands like Apple and Google launching flagships right before the festive season, we believe to see a surge in customers selling old phones for instant cash and upgrading smartly. On our platform alone, we anticipate a 2X spike in trade-ins and a 3X jump in refurbished sales compared to a regular month. The festive shopper today is not just aspirational but also value-conscious — refurbished sits right at the sweet spot of both.”
On how tariffs would impact India
“Global tariff shifts showed how quickly trade decisions can impact consumer economies. When tariffs go up, the first visible effect is higher prices on essential goods, and in India, smartphones are at the center of that story. With over 90% of our internet users accessing the web through mobiles, even a small hike can slow down digital adoption. This, in turn, reshapes consumer behavior: while new smartphone sales may take a hit, the secondary market, especially refurbished devices, often becomes the safety net. It absorbs demand by offering affordability and keeps millions connected. But relying on refurbished as a buffer should not be India’s only response; balanced policy is key to ensuring access without widening the digital divide.”
Covered By: Mobility India / Cashify
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