Japanese shoppers looking for appliances are increasingly opting for used products as prices for the latest models are putting them out of reach for some consumers.
Electronics maker Panasonic sells returned products or display models that have been repaired and inspected.
It offers a one-year guarantee on home appliances and discounts of up to 20 percent.
Panasonic also leases the items through a subscription. It’s planning to increase the number of products available through the service.
“Some products that were returned due to defects were previously discarded,” says Miyase Kenichi from Panasonic. “We decided we needed to change this, and it’s one of the key reasons we started this business as it helps protect the environment.”
The Hitachi Group and major electronics retailer Yamada Holdings also offer recycled products for sale. Yamada is planning to expand its offerings by building its own repair factory.