Music Magpie partners with Timpson on in-store smartphone trade-ins

Electricals retailer AO World has announced that its Music Magpie recommerce business is partnering with Timpson to provide customers with a faster and more convenient way to trade in their old smartphones.

Following a successful four month trial, the service is now being offered at over 1,300 Timpson stores.

AO said customers can hand over their device, have it assessed in front of them, and have funds transferred within minutes.

According to research from Censuswide, the total value of unused smartphones in the UK is estimated to be around £10 billion. The study also found that 68% of consumers prefer to trade in their devices in person, while one in four regard the immediate receipt of payment as very important. 

John Roberts, chief executive and founder of AO World, said: “We know that apathy is the biggest barrier to trading in old tech, and the ability to ‘Take it to Timpson’ now makes it a no-brainer for customers who can get cash in only a few minutes for their old smartphone at over 1,300 Timpson sites.

“It’s another great synergy from our acquisition of Magpie in 2024 and is really just the start of the enormous potential that we see for this partnership.”

Sid Hubbard, group director of Timpson, said: “Our expert colleagues are a trusted and friendly face to millions of customers across the UK, and this additional service further enhances the high street experience for new and existing Timpson customers.”

AO World acquired Music Magpie in 2024.

Steve Oliver, managing director and co-founder of Music Magpie, said: “Adding Magpie to 1,300 Timpson stores across the UK is a huge milestone for us and will take our reach and convenience for customers far beyond anything we’ve tried before. It’s great to see that so many customers are choosing to trade in their old phones in a way that’s as good for the planet as it is for their wallets.”