CeX (retailer)
British second-hand goods chain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
C.E.X. Limited, trading as CeX (/sɛks/), is a British retailer predominantly dealing in pre-owned video games, mobile phones, computers, DVDs, Blu-rays and consumer electronics, established in 1992 in London as the Computer Exchange. The retailer later renamed itself as the Complete Entertainment Exchange.[4] As of May 2025, there are 393 stores in the UK, and a further 231 internationally, with a number of its locations being franchises.[5][6]
| |
| CeX | |
| Formerly | Calibre Analysis Limited (May–August 1996)[1] |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1992 in Tottenham Court Road, London, United Kingdom |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 619 (2025) |
Area served | |
Key people |
|
| Products | |
| Revenue |  £178.70 million[3] (2023) |
| £5.48 million[3] (2023) | |
| £4.15 million[3] (2023) | |
| Total assets | £15.23 million[3] (2023) |
Number of employees | 2,633[3][n 1] (2023) |
| Website | webuy |
History
CeX was started by Paul Farrington,[7] Robert Dudani,[8] Hugh Man,[9] Charlie Brooker,[10][11] Oli Smith and Oliver Ball. The first shop opened on London's Whitfield Street, close to Tottenham Court Road in 1992.[4] As a second hand retailer, CeX trades with customers offering either cash or a voucher for redemption in any CeX shop.[12] CeX offer a 5 year warranty subject to terms on all of the second hand products the company sells.[13]
The "CeX" name moved away from "Computer eXchange" into an acronym for "Complete Entertainment eXchange",[4] and company letterheads state "CeX LTD is trading as CeX Entertainment Exchange". In 2005, CeX began issuing licences for franchising.[14]
Dudani appeared on the British Channel 4 TV show The Secret Millionaire.[15][16][17] This was after the business was affected by the 2011 England riots.[18]
In December 2013, CeX began Designer Exchange buying luxury leather goods, jewellery and handbags, with stores in Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Madrid.[9]
The pronunciation of the chain's acronym name was confirmed as "sex" in British commercials aired in February 2017.[19]
In November 2017, CeX launched a technology repair service called Tech Centre[20] (formerly called CeX Clinic) in the UK. The service covers the repair of video game consoles. Tech Center offers a 2-year warranty on device repairs and a no fix, no fee promise to customers.
In March 2025, a delivery service using the JustEat app was introduced.[21]
On 5 June 2025, it was announced that CeX was closing all of its physical stores in the Netherlands while keeping the online store there open,[22] however, on 25 September 2025, it was announced that the online store will also be closing on 9 November 2025 and that it is no longer possible to sell products.[23]
The CeX logo was designed by Charlie Brooker.[24] He also drew the cartoons used in early advertisements for the company.[25]
Locations
| Country | Shops |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom[26] | 391 |
| United States (former) | 4 |
| Spain (mainland) | 62 |
| Republic of Ireland | 36 |
| Mexico | 22 |
| Australia | 35 |
| Portugal | 32 |
| India | 14 |
| Poland | 11 |
| Canary Islands (Spain) | 3 |
| Malaysia | 10 |
| Italy | 6 |
See also
- Game (retailer) – International retailer
- Cash Converters – Australian pawnbroker
- Cash Generator – United Kingdom–based retailer
Notes
- This only includes employees directly employed and not those employed by franchise stores
