REGINA — A new survey from Best Buy Canada finds that Saskatchewan consumers buy the least used technology in the country.
According to the Best Buy Canada 2026 Back-to-School Tech Shopping Report released Monday, 47 per cent of Saskatchewan residents have bought used technology in the past year, the lowest share of any province.
Of those who have purchased used technology, the survey found 25 per cent have purchased open-box tech, a low among provinces; 37 per cent purchased refurbished tech; and 21 per cent traded in old or unused technology when purchasing a new product, also the lowest share of any province.
Mark Leahy, senior director of service programs, service centres and reverse logistics for Best Buy Canada, noted Saskatchewan “bucks the national trend.” The 47 per cent figure compares with 63 per cent of Canadians who have bought used technology in the past year.
But Leahy notes there is more to the story as far as Saskatchewan’s numbers are concerned.
“What we can see is an interesting tension in the data,” Leahy said. “Saskatchewan consumers are extremely value-conscious: among those who buy used, 85 per cent point to cost savings, the highest rate in Canada.”
While cost savings are cited as the biggest motivator, other motivators include reducing e-waste and environmental impact at 30 per cent and getting better value for the features at 25 per cent. The survey also cited Saskatchewan residents as being more influenced by social media and social trends than residents of any other province and pointed to 10 per cent citing environmental impact as a purchase motivator, the highest in Canada.
Leahy also notes that, at the same time, “durability is a particularly important consideration when they’re buying new technology, suggesting that Saskatchewan consumers may be looking very closely at both the upfront price and the longer-term value of a device. For retailers, the takeaway is that simply saying something is cheaper may not be enough. Consumers also need confidence in the condition, quality and longevity of what they’re buying.”
On durability, the survey found that 31 per cent of Saskatchewan respondents are concerned about how long the product will last, tied with price. That was followed by brand reputation at 19 per cent and reviews and recommendations at 13 per cent.
The survey points to Saskatchewan residents being more concerned about the availability of financing or payment plans than most people across the country, with six per cent pointing to that as a concern. Atlantic Canada is higher at nine per cent.
The survey also finds 39 per cent of Saskatchewan residents would consider buying an open-box product — items that have been unboxed, returned or previously used for in-store displays. Refurbished products, including previously returned, used or damaged electronics that have been inspected, tested, repaired and restored, are something 38 per cent of Saskatchewan residents would consider buying.
Leahy pointed to a number of takeaways from the report.
“The biggest takeaway is that Canadians are becoming much more flexible in how they shop for technology. New isn’t necessarily the default anymore, and ‘new’ to an individual is being redefined,” he said.
Leahy said open-box and refurbished options are increasingly part of the consideration.
But the “Saskatchewan findings also show there isn’t a one-size-fits-all Canadian consumer.”
“People can be highly price-conscious and still hesitant about used products. That means retailers and manufacturers need to think about more than price; durability, product condition, trust, and clear communication about what consumers are getting for their money are becoming increasingly important. Heading into back-to-school, that matters because families are ultimately looking for the best overall value, not necessarily just the lowest sticker price.”
