Best Buy Selects Brightstar to Handle Mobile Reverse Supply Chain

Global provider of diversified solutions for the wireless device industry, Brightstar Corporation, was recently selected by Best Buy to manage the electronics retail giant's entire inventory of returned mobile devices in the U.S. This extends an existing partnership between the two companies as Brightstar has worked with Best Buy since 2009, providing technology, product and direct-to-consumer delivery services of mobile devices.

This new partnership will see Brightstar consolidate and optimize Best Buy's numerous device return channels, improving efficiency while reducing costs. The retailer will also leverage Brightstar's domestic and global distribution channels with the aim of improving device resale values in secondary markets, providing customers with new trade-in opportunities when upgrading to a new device.


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"Improving the reverse supply chain process is an innovative way for retailers to reduce costs while enhancing the customer experience," said Jeff Gower, president of Brightstar US & Canada. "Brightstar's proven supply chain optimization platform presents a real win-win opportunity for Best Buy and we look forward to helping them turn device returns into a business success story both for the consumer and the environment."

In all, Brightstar will handle the receipt, sorting, triage, repair, refurbishing and repackaging of all mobile phones that are returned or turned in to Best Buy through its service programs, including Trade-In and Buy Back, as well as typical returns and exchanges. The company's reverse supply chain platform will increase the speed of the return process, while improving the economic recovery of pre-owned or previously disposed of devices.

In May, Brightstar was appointed as the exclusive supply chain provider to dtac Thailand, one of the country's top mobile operators.

In August, the company acquired LetsTalk.com, a San Francisco-based provider of mobile device activation and e-commerce solutions. With this acquisition, Brightstar can now offer LetsTalk's customizable .com and activation solutions to its many customers across the globe.