Selling refurbished on Kaufland: Recommerce programme, condition levels and the second BuyBox

What the programme is

With the Recommerce programme Kaufland introduces the standardised condition category "refurbished", complementing the existing conditions "new" and "used". According to Kaufland, refurbished offers are subject to strict quality standards, including a mandatory one-year warranty in addition to the statutory two-year guarantee. The programme is currently available on Kaufland.de, .cz, .sk, .pl and .at; an expansion to .fr, .es, .nl and .it is planned.

The four condition levels

Each level is defined by fixed criteria – visual condition, functionality and, for electrical devices, battery condition (at least 85%):

• Like new – no or only minimal signs of use, visually almost indistinguishable from new goods.
• Very good – minimal signs of wear that do not affect functionality.
• Good – slight micro-scratches or signs of wear.
• Acceptable – visible signs of wear, fully functional.

The complete criteria are in Kaufland's product data guideline.

Whitelisting: what you submit

Before the first listing you have to be activated. According to Kaufland you submit to Seller Support or your account manager: a process description of the refurbishment (usually as PDF), evidence of a diagnostic tool (software or hardware) used to test full functionality, proof of CE marking and a warranty commitment of one year. Customers must receive an explanation of the warranty by e-mail or on a durable medium – for example as an insert in the package.

Listing via API or CSV

Refurbished offers can currently only be created via the Seller API or CSV, not manually in the Seller Portal (API and data feeds). For the API Kaufland names dedicated condition IDs per level (110 "like new" to 140 "acceptable"). Product data stays that of the EAN – you attach your offer with condition and price to the existing product (EAN explained).

The second BuyBox

On the product page Kaufland shows refurbished offers in a separate, second BuyBox. Customers see the available condition levels there, compare prices and read the condition descriptions. For you that means: you do not compete with new goods for the same BuyBox but with other refurbished sellers of the same EAN – price, condition level and delivery time decide (BuyBox explained).

Visibility in the search

The product appears once in the results list; which offer sits behind it is decided by the BuyBox. A refurbished offer therefore benefits from the visibility the product as a whole has for its search terms. So track the positions of the products you offer refurbished just as for new goods – and check whether the price gap to new goods on the product page is visible and attractive to customers.

Frequently asked questions