Green co-ounded The iOutlet 15 years ago as a bedroom start-up, while Hargreaves launched Technology Recycle Group, which was later acquired by ReBuy.

SK TES had previously acquired the assets of the defunct recycler Redeem Group, including Envirofone.

Envirofone was one of the UK’s first large-scale trade-in providers. Its new management aims to re-establish it as a leader in European recommerce.

“Matt remains a director of both Envirofone and The iOutlet,” said Hargreaves. “The structure allows each brand to pursue distinct strategies with Envirofone focusing on trade-ins, while The iOutlet continues as a resale platform.”

Envirofone currently processes around 40,000 devices annually. The new team is targeting a 30 per cent uplift, with all grading and refurbishment to remain in-house.

“We will be promoting our brand, which carries a sense of nostalgia for users. We will pride ourselves on price and service, with every part of the process managed in-house,” Hargreaves said.

The strategy will emphasise direct-to-consumer trade-ins rather than wholesale partnerships. “Staying direct to the consumer allows us to offer maximum value,” Hargreaves added.

A European relaunch is set for the second quarter of 2026, in countries where recommerce adoption is accelerating fastest.

The “Three PAYG Quality Award 2023/2024” was for GK Telecom’s PAYG services, with a focus on customer tenure and satisfaction. GK Telecom’s also won the “Smarty Mobile Best Student Campaign of the Year” for the way it engaged with the student market.

The awards are GK Telecom’s third award wins of the year, following its “Vodafone Campaign of the Year” prize. As well as Three and Vodafone, GK Telecom works with O2 (Telefónica UK), and EE, as well as their hosted MVNOs like Smarty, @Voxi, giffgaff | Certified B Corp, and Lebara.

” “We are honored to receive these awards. . It is a reflection of our team’s dedication to delivering quality services and innovative campaigns” said GK MD Navaratnam Ravi

Main pic shows Jennifer Pattinson, Head of Partner Sales, Ronan Gibney, Director of Sales UK and ROI, Gary Wagstaff, Channel Manager – Distribution, Ravi Navaratnam, Managing Director, GK Telecom, Gummy Dulku, Director, GK Telecom, Jon Chorley, Channel Account Executive.

The digital kiosk is being launched next week at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which is expected to attract 70,000 visitors a day.

To buy the eSIM, people select their destination on the display and scan a QR code that appears. The kiosks will be strategically situated across the UK in key locations such as hotels, airports, and shopping malls. GK Telecom will be looking for retail partners to host the kiosks.

“Third-party resellers have significant revenue opportunities by partnering with us. Retailers who install our eSIM kiosks on their premises can earn a lifetime revenue share from every eSIM bundle purchased by customers,” said GK director Ravi Navaratnam.

“We are looking for partnerships with travel industry stakeholders and high-footfall sectors such as Transport for London (TFL). Collaborations with these partners would further enhance the accessibility and availability of our eSIMs to travellers.

“eSIMs are indeed available from various providers, but our groundbreaking solution lies in offering a single eSIM for 160 countries. Unlike traditional providers offering one eSIM per destination, we’re simplifying travel connectivity by offering a universal solution for global travellers.

“The Digital Kiosk display redefines international travel by providing a convenient and accessible way for travellers to purchase eSIMs. Similar to the user experience of a McDonald’s kiosk, travellers can simply interact with the touchscreen display to select their destination and purchase an eSIM, streamlining the process and ensuring seamless connectivity.”

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It?is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

Code-named ‘Concertina’, the investigation, led by the EPPO in Munich stretches across Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and Slovenia. During the searches, a large number of documents, electronic devices and evidence were seized, as well as £27,000 in cash Euros and cryptocurrency worth roughly £34, 000. Several bank accounts were frozen, with at least £76,000 seized so far.

It follows a suspected criminal scheme whereby companies in several EU Member States, fraudulently applied reduced VAT to the sale of second-hand mobile phones imported from the United States and other non-EU countries, in order to illegally increase their profits.

When selling second-hand goods bought from private persons in the EU, or from sellers who have already paid VAT in full for such items, the reseller may apply the so-called ‘margin taxation’ scheme and only has to pay VAT on the profit margin and not on the full sale price of the item.

However, it is suspected that the companies under investigation charged reduced VAT when the full rate was due. The suspected fraud also allowed mobile phones to be sold at a lower market price, thus causing unfair competition.

Companies under investigation charged reduced VAT when the full rate was due.

Four suspects

Between 2019 and 2022, four suspects worked together to defraud Bulgarian, German and Slovenian tax authorities of the VAT due on used smartphones imported from the US and other countries, by setting up a chain of companies engaged in a seemingly legitimate intra-community delivery of goods, in triangular transactions exempt of VAT until the final destination.

It is understood that they took advantage of the fact that several national authorities were involved along the chain of transactions, to knowingly dissimulate the eventual switch to margin taxation – despite knowing that the requirements for the application of this taxation were clearly not met.  

The companies involved in the suspected fraud are located in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovenia, and are managed by the four individuals under investigation.

]The company in Slovenia bought the smartphones from companies in Hong Kong, the UAE and the US, and then sold them to the company in Bulgaria. 

The goods were then sold to the company under investigation in Germany at a VAT margin rate. The same rate was applied when the goods were sold to final customers in Italy, Finland, Poland and Sweden.

They are suspected of having defrauded the payment of VAT in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovenia, with an estimated damage of at least €19 million. It is understood that some of the illicit profits may have been concealed in bank accounts and assets in other Member States.

Tax expert Martin O’Neill, tax litigation and disputes partner at Keystone Law commendted “Margin schemes allow for favourable VAT treatment to companies buying and selling second life goods and their correct use can substantially reduce a trader’s VAT liability. It is for this reason that that there are strict rules for the goods that can be traded on margin and why the scheme is monitored by tax authorities.

“It has been suspected for some years that there was widespread abuse of the VAT margin schemes in the UK and the EU, particularly companies that misuse margin schemes or otherwise become duped or misled into purchasing consignments of non-qualifying stock using margin schemes and exposing themselves to large financial losses. 

“The market for used/returned/refurbished mobile phones has boomed in recent years. Advances in handset technology, increased longevity of designs and the rising costs of new handsets has all contributed to this growing market segment. Latest estimates showed global sales of used mobile phones in just Q1 2023 in excess of $13 billion. 

“Given the size and profitability of the market, the searches that took place under warrant earlier today are likely to only be the start of tax authorities’ enforcement action in this matter.  Investigation teams of tax authorities across the UK and mainland Europe are likely to follow the leads identified in these searches and raise VAT assessments for the misuse of VAT margin schemes.”

The EPPO’s Annual Report for 2022 highlighted its focus on EU fraud affecting public revenue, with a particular emphasis on cross-border VAT fraud. By the end of 2022, the EPPO had 1,117 active investigations, with overall estimated damages amounting to €14.1 billion. A significant portion of these investigations (47%) resulted from VAT fraud, highlighting the scale and impact of this type of criminal activity on EU finances

The deal signifies new territory for Guru, presenting opportunities for its customers to access a wider portfolio of products and providing stability for future growth, as stated by Guru directors John Bennetts (r- main pic) and  Arran Kirton

Rydal Group, established in 2008 by managing director Steffan Dancy, commenced its operations from a home-based location, offering airtime, BT line rental, and call traffic services to local small businesses within the Peterborough area.

“I’ve known Steffan for a number of years,” mentioned Kirton. “We both share a passion for delivering high-quality service. This is just one of Rydal’s many investments and acquisitions as part of their buy-and-build strategy.”

“This deal brings expertise into the fold, enhancing our purchasing power and introducing non-telecom products like Security, EV, and Energy for our customers,” Kirton added. “We are eagerly anticipating offering both new and existing clients a broader range of products. We anticipate a long-standing partnership that will benefit everyone associated with the business. This partnership enables us to provide customers with cutting-edge products while maintaining the industry-leading service levels our customers are accustomed to.”

Dancy further remarked, “Guru Technology maintains high standards, possesses loyal customers, and is led by a great team. It’s a business with significant potential and an outstanding reputation with suppliers and customers. This deal aligns with our overarching growth strategy. Rydal will operate independently from Guru Technology to ensure the integrity of both brands.”

The Big Phone Store, the trading ame for Euro Communications Distribution extracted data sourced from Google Trends. To find this data, a list of 100 terms related to refurbished phones was tested using Google Search Trends and illustrates that search interest for refurbished iPhones almost doubles compared to the yearly average during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.

There are a number of factors at play. The most obvious one is cost which makes them particularly appealing to people looking for a good deal on Cyber Monday.

Another factor is model release dates. Apple and Google release their latest phones in the months leading up to Black Friday each year. By the time the sales are in full swing, people have had a few months to contemplate their options. For many who are unsure about whether to upgrade to the latest model or not, these sales will be a deciding factor. It also gives the refurbished market a chance to catch up. After all, nobody expects to be able to buy a refurbished iPhone 15 in the weeks of its initial release.

There’s another reason refurbished iPhones might be popular over the Black Friday weekend. “Green Friday” is an eco-conscious alternative aimed at helping consumers choose sustainable products. In recent years, some major brands have launched Green Friday sales.

This yearly spike in interest in refurbished phones is part of a broader national trend

Refurbished devices are uniquely well-suited to the idea of a Green Friday sale. Consumers are used to paying a ‘green premium’ for eco-friendly products, which doesn’t allgn well with trying to find a great Black Friday deal. Refurbished phones, on the other hand, are already discounted products, and what’s more, they carry almost no carbon footprint when compared to brand new phones.”

This yearly spike in interest in refurbished phones is part of a broader national trend. In the UK, Google searches for ‘refurbished’ have grown steadily since 2008. This shift is particularly noteworthy considering that in the United States, interest in the same search term has declined over the past 15 years.Green Friday highlights both of the growing social issues that we think are also driving the growth in the refurbished phone market: the cost of living and the environment.

At the same time, consumers are getting used to the idea of refurbished devices. While only a few years ago, refurbished phones were typically regarded with suspicion, today nearly every mobile network carries its own line of pre-owned phones. Already, there are people for whom buying a refurbished phone feels just as normal as buying a pre-owned car.

The gross profit in the consumer technology division rose by 13.5 per cent to £10.9 million, contributing 59 per cent  to the company’s total gross profit. However, first-half revenue decreased by £9.4 million, reaching £61.9 million compared to £71.3 million during the same period last year. Higher-margin sales in the Consumer Technology division generated revenue of £41.1 million, while disc media and book revenue amounted to £20.9 million, down from £46.0 million and £25.3 million respectively in 2022.

The gross margin saw a 3.1 per cent  improvement, reaching 29.7 per cent, which can be attributed to direct product sourcing from consumers, increased sales through the musicMagpie store, and growing rental subscriptions. The number of active rental subscriptions rose by 15,000 to 39,000 compared to May 2022, with 2,200 devices currently being rented to businesses.

Music Magpie’s SMARTDrop Kiosks, located in 290 Asda stores, have processed approximately 50,000 used phones, resulting in over £15 million paid out to customers. This information was disclosed in the company’s interim results for the six-month period ending in May of this year.

MusicMagpiece CEO, Steve Oliver (main pic) commented;

“After a challenging first quarter, I am pleased with the performance of the business during Q2 and the momentum that has been carried over into H2, which is traditionally the seasonally more important half for musicMagpie. By focusing on ‘buying and selling for more margin’, which includes sourcing more products directly from consumers and increasing the proportion of sales made through the musicMagpie store, we have delivered a strong improvement in Consumer Technology gross profit.

“Looking ahead, we have a clear plan for our rental business and for our enhanced Buy Now Pay Later offering, which should drive sales and make our offering even more attractive to consumers looking to save cash.

“Despite the tough consumer environment, we expect consumers to increasingly look to the refurbished tech market and are confident that the business has the right strategy in place for future profit growth”

The two companies agreed a new multi-year partnership in January that Vodafone would continue to be the exclusive mobile network partner for Currys.

Vodafone’s Home Broadband portfolio will now be available at more than 300 Currys stores. Eligible Vodafone customers get a £3 monthly discount on Vodafone Together. The product range includes Vodafone Pro II Broadband which combines WiFi 6E Ultra Hub and Booster and enables more than 150 devices to be connected.

Vodafone claims to have “the largest fibre footprint in the UK and the most reliable in-home WiFi technology”.

Max Taylor, Vodafone’s Chief Commercial Officer in the UK, said: “I am delighted to announce the availability of our market-leading Home Broadband range with Currys. Vodafone has the largest fibre footprint in the UK and the most reliable in-home WiFi technology, all at affordable prices. There is no better time to switch to Vodafone Home Broadband.”

Lindsay Haselhurst, Chief Operating Officer for Currys, commented: “At Currys, we are passionate about helping everyone enjoy amazing technology and our broadband offering is a key enabler to getting the most out of your tech. So, we are excited to broaden our existing Vodafone portfolio to include Vodafone Broadband. Customers can save on their broadband bills when they switch to Vodafone Broadband and benefit from the UK’s most reliable broadband technology – available to more UK homes than anyone else.”

The store is Sim Local’s 12th, and will provide a choice of local SIM cards from Vienna networks eety, Drei (Three) and Lyca to international travellers and a range of branded accessories.

Ian Rankin, Chief Commercial Officer, Sim Local said:“ Our retail footprint is continually growing, and we are delighted to be working with Vienna Airport. We’re also extending our global partnership with Lyca and cementing our Hutchinson 3G relationship by carrying their products in this new location.”  

 Philipp Ahrens, Senior Vice President Center Management at Vienna Airport added:  “Extending our retail offering to include their local SIM cards will be valued by the international travellers arriving in Vienna.”

Other Sim Local stores are in Athens International airport and Brussels.. Sim Local also operates a network of vending machines in European airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Brussels, Dublin and Copenhagen and works with affiliate partners such as WHSmith and InMotion in airports.

The new range includes Apple’s iPhone 14, available on contract, handset and SIM-only plans, as well as a range of other popular mobile devices up to £125 when compared to buying new.

MobilePhonesDirect.com  became part of the AO group in 2019

The phones are described as an ‘As New’ standard and are said to be indistinguishable from new models. They are shipped in recyclable brown packaging with a 12-month warranty.

Scott Hooton, AO’s Mobile Director, said:

“There is a huge demand for more cost-effective options to upgrade or replace mobile phones. Consumers are still keen to keep up with the latest in technology. Our as new phone deals are between £72 and £120 over a 24-month contract cheaper than “brand new” equivalents.”

Mobile Phones Direct is currently offering “as new” Apple iPhone 13s for £30 per month with the iPhone SE available for just £16 per month with no upfront cost.

“These iPhones have been returned by customers because of potential faults but have been rebuilt to the same standard.