Latest News - Foxway and ELKO: United by common circular values

Foxway and ELKO: United by common circular values

ELKO’s partnership with Foxway began in 2019, marking their initial steps towards sustainability. Recommended by their franchise partner Elkj?p, Foxway’s favorable business proposition and sustainability focus made them an ideal partner. The collaboration was well-received by customers, who appreciated getting paid for their old devices while contributing to environmental conservation. Foxway’s trade-in solution has been instrumental in supporting ELKO’s goal of educating customers to be responsible consumers, making device collection easy and boosting lengthy campaigns expected by major brands.

The onboarding process with Foxway was straightforward, with their platform offering a plug-and-play solution. Although ELKO faced some challenges in integrating the process with their VAT and ERP systems, they quickly overcame these hurdles. The trade-in program has seen significant growth, with a 60% increase in the number of devices received and a 90% increase in value in 2023. Campaigns like “Get something for nothing” have played a crucial role in this success, with about one device returned for every 100 Icelanders annually.

“As of today, Foxway is operating in nearly 50 countries, and we’re always thrilled to enter new markets together with new partners for our trade-in solutions. ELKO is a good example of a new Foxway partner with clear expectations and a strategic plan for integrating this new service into their customer journey. In the retail environment, sustainability is becoming more important, with customers expecting a circular approach. For our retail partner, this service can boost sales volume and gain customer loyalty”, stated Holger F?st, Sourcing Director at Foxway

Sustainability is a core value for ELKO, shaping their future strategies and actions. Their environmental efforts include better waste sorting, selling more pre-owned products, and planting a carbon-reducing forest. Initiatives like the International E-waste Day have been highly successful, encouraging citizens to recycle or trade in electronic devices. ELKO’s sustainability incentives are well-received in their marketing activities, with campaigns driving significant increases in the number of devices sent to Foxway. Despite challenges related to their location and infrastructure, ELKO remains committed to expanding their circular economy efforts and achieving their ambitious sustainability goals.

ELKO, Iceland’s largest electronics store, has been a trusted name since 1998, offering popular electronics brands at competitive prices. With a team of 240 employees, ELKO operates five physical locations and an online store, ensuring wide accessibility for customers across the country. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident, having recently ranked third in the local customer satisfaction index. ELKO’s franchise agreement with Elkj?p, a Norwegian company with around 400 stores in the Nordic region, allows them to leverage joint procurement for better pricing on well-known brands, benefiting their customers.

Commenting on this collaboration with Foxway, óttar ?rn, CEO of ELKO stated that “We must take responsibility for electronic devices and what happens to them after the first use. By building partnerships that support our aims, we can strengthen the leading voice that guides us all on this journey”.

Tele2 and Ahlsell extend partnership with multi-year agreement

Tele2 has entered into a multi-year agreement with technology retailer Ahlsell to continue as its infrastructure provider. This partnership will see Tele2 delivering a comprehensive infrastructure solution that emphasises high availability, modern scalability, security and sustainability. The new solution aims to enhance Ahlsell’s internal processes and provide better visibility into data traffic, thereby improving network control and security.

A key aspect of this agreement is Tele2’s commitment to sustainability. By integrating new fibre accesses and advanced security solutions, Tele2 is not only enhancing connectivity but also ensuring that the infrastructure supports sustainable practices. This modernised design is expected to facilitate safer, faster, and more reliable connectivity for Ahlsell’s workplaces, aligning with both companies’ sustainability goals.

Maria Andersson, CDO at Ahlsell, highlighted the benefits of the new infrastructure, stating that the improvements will lead to better connectivity and security for their operations. The partnership underscores Tele2’s role in providing innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions that meet the evolving needs of their clients.

Phoner expands SME focus with new package deals

Just ten days before the COVID-19 pandemic, Fran?ois Bestué, Adelin Revault, and Kévin Jégo launched Phoner, a company specialising in the repair and sale of refurbished smartphones. Starting from a basement in Etrelles, Ille-et-Vilaine, they have grown their business with passion and dedication. Today, they operate four stores in Western France and lead a team of 25 employees. As mobile operators, they achieved a turnover of €3 million in their last fiscal year, refurbishing around 10,000 phones in 2023. They aim to increase this number to 100,000 within the next four to five years, especially if local SMEs and mid-sized companies, which make up 50% of their business, opt for refurbished mobile fleets. Their circular economy model was recently recognized at the 2024 Crisalide Eco-activities Awards.

In March 2020, Phoner officially launched in Vitré, just before the economic shutdown. Initially working from Kevin’s basement and meeting clients on the street, they quickly gained trust. By June 2020, they moved to an apartment in Vitré, operating by appointment for sales and repairs and soon offering accessories. To increase visibility, they toured Atlantic coast markets with their distinctive blue “Phoner mobile” caravan. This experience, though brief, helped them refine their business model.

By September 2021, they opened their first store with their own funds, followed by a second store in Laval in November 2021. During this period, Phoner developed a custom CRM and began targeting corporate mobile fleets, offering services to local SMEs and mid-sized companies. By the end of 2022, they opened a third store in Rennes, employing 15 people and handling around 1,000 refurbished phones monthly. Their premium service includes replacing screens, batteries, and defective components, with phones sourced from various channels, including corporate trade-ins and brokers. In early 2024, Phoner opened a fourth store in Nantes and became a local telecom operator, offering competitive mobile plans and emphasising the environmental benefits of refurbished phones. They plan to open a fifth store by the end of 2024 and aim to refurbish 100,000 phones annually within five years.

Vodafone initiates Ireland’s first telco Power Purchase Agreement

Vodafone Ireland has entered into a Corporate Power Purchasing Agreement (CPPA) with energy supplier Flogas and infrastructure partner Vantage Towers. This agreement enables Vodafone to directly source renewable electricity from the Derrynadivva Wind Farm in Mayo, making it the first telecom company in Ireland to sign such an agreement. The €6 million investment aligns with Vodafone’s sustainability goals, aiming for net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. This initiative, along with other agreements, ensures that 100% of Vodafone’s Irish operations are powered by renewable energy sources.

The CPPA provides Vodafone with access to clean, high-quality, and affordable renewable electricity for its extensive network infrastructure, which supports both mobile and fixed services across Ireland. Vantage Towers, Vodafone’s infrastructure partner, will also benefit from the renewable energy supplied by the Derrynadivva Wind Farm. Additionally, Vodafone employs an Intelligent Energy Management System in Ireland, utilising machine learning algorithms to analyse 4G network traffic patterns in real-time. This system helps reduce congestion and energy consumption by 10 to 15%.

Vodafone Ireland is committed to sustainability, offering various initiatives to help customers reduce their environmental impact. These include the ‘Fix & Go’ service for phone repairs and upgrades, eSIMs to cut down on plastic waste, and a range of eco-friendly accessories. In 2022, Vodafone launched Ireland’s first telco device trade-in service, which has seen over 35,000 devices returned. Customers can receive up to €400 for their old smartphones, which are then refurbished, recycled, or repurposed, supporting Vodafone’s commitment to a circular economy.

Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland emphasised on these initiatives, claiming that they “… are proud of the steps we’re taking to not only support our customers to be greener but also green our own operations. Today’s announcement is an investment in Ireland and its renewable energy industry. This is a significant step towards our own ambitious net zero targets.’’

Brian McHugh, Managing Director at Vantage Towers Ireland, for his part, mentioned that “Vantage Towers’ infrastructure network is totally powered by renewable energy, in line with our global ESG agenda. Sustainability is a necessity, and this agreement with Flogas is a further commitment to minimising the impact of our business on the environment, and a continued investment in Ireland’s natural generating capability.’’

Pat Brett, Derrynadivva Wind Farm Ltd’s Director, expressed his excitement for this process, stating that “… Derrynadivva Wind Farm in Co Mayo continues to play a pivotal role in Ireland’s transition to a sustainable energy future. By delivering clean, renewable wind energy to some of the nation’s largest companies, we are not only helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also supporting these businesses in their commitment to more efficient and responsible energy consumption.”

Retech Days Europe - November 19th, 2024 – Berlin

Join us in Berlin on November 19th for Retech Days Europe, where industry leaders will explore the impact of the smartphone refurbishment industry on the circular economy. This event will highlight how refurbishing tech helps maximize resource value, reduce waste, and drive sustainability.

Don't miss this key opportunity to shape the future of tech and sustainability!