Romanian startup fenix.eco expands smartphone distribution to B2B with BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch

fenix.eco announces the launch of its new B2B unit with its first corporate client – BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch. The Romanian startup, which has run B2C online store www.fenix.eco since April, now also offers over 20 refurbished Apple, Samsung, Sony and Huawei smartphone models to enterprises, up to 50% less expensive than new. Besides the refurbished phone itself, fenix.eco phones come with new accessories, as well as a 12-month guarantee.

“We successfully entered the consumer market eight months ago. We now intend to duplicate our B2C success in B2B. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19, many companies are currently trying to optimize their expenses. Our refurbished smartphones combine a perfect shape and working condition, at a much lower price than new. According to HMD Global, 91% of European businesses consider price an important factor when acquiring smartphones for their employees. I therefore believe fenix.eco is quickly going to become a ‘no brainer’ for a growing number of SMEs and corporate buyers,” said Serial Entrepreneur and Business Angel Grégoire Vigroux.

Fenix.eco targets companies that want to give their employees brand-name smartphones at an affordable cost. Apple currently accounts for 75% of fenix.eco’s sales, with the iPhone 8 the company’s bestseller. The online store has a B2B section, www.fenix.eco/B2B, from which corporate buyers can place orders and obtain discounts, based on order volumes.

BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch is the first corporate partner of fenix.eco on this segment. “Besides a sustainable finance business model, a fundamental part of our DNA is to be actively involved in initiatives that promote greater environmental responsibility. We are enthusiastic every time we meet visionary people who are determined to generate a positive impact for a better future, such as the start-up fenix.eco. We believe in the effectiveness of the shared economy to bring about more sustainable collective consumption behaviors. By choosing to reuse old smartphones instead of buying new ones, we are helping to reduce pollution,” said Miruna Senciuc, CEO BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Bucharest Branch.

Grégoire Vigroux concluded: “Companies are increasingly recognizing that shifting to a circular economy not only makes economic sense, but environmental sense, too. According to Recommerce, manufacturing a new smartphone produces 56 kg of CO2 and requires 44 kg of raw materials. This makes fenix.eco an appealing option for companies that want to save money while also having a positive impact.”

Fenix.eco is a Romanian startup launched in April 2020, selling refurbished smartphones that combine many of the advantages of new phones, including perfect form and flawless working condition, as well as a 12-month warranty, but at the competitive price of second-hand models, up to 50% less expensive than new. The company distributes its phones through its online store www.fenix.eco, as well as through traditional retail channels and B2B.

About Cetelem, www.cetelem.ro, a BNP Paribas Personal Finance trademark

On March 1, 2018, Cetelem IFN SA became BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA Paris Bucharest Branch, following the strategic cross-border merger between Cetelem IFN SA and the French parent bank BNP Paribas Personal Finance. After the merger, commercial activity in Romania continued under the Cetelem brand, which is well known on the local consumer credit market. The company continues to provide in-store consumer credit services, credit cards, car loans and personal loans, both at the point of sale and remotely, by phone and over the Internet. In more than 14 years on the Romanian market, Cetelem has granted over 1.8 million loans.

About BNP Paribas Personal Finance  

BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the leader in France and in Europe for personal loans via its activities in consumer credit and mortgage lending.  A 100% subsidiary of the BNP Paribas Group, BNP Paribas Personal Finance has nearly 20,000 employees and operates in about 30 countries. Under brands including Cetelem, Findomestic, AlphaCredit, and Credit Moderne, the company offers a full range of personal credit products at points of sale and car dealerships and directly to consumers through its customer relations centres and Internet. BNP Paribas Personal Finance has added an insurance and savings offer for its clients in Bulgaria, France, Germany, and Italy. BNP Paribas Personal Finance has developed an active partnership strategy with retailers, manufacturers and automotive retailers, web merchants and financial institutions (banks and insurance companies), based on its experience with marketing credit offers and integrated services tailored to partners’ business and commercial objectives. It is also a leading player in the field of responsible lending and financial education. For more information: www.bnpparibas-pf.com; @bnpp_pf; company/bnp-paribas-personal-finance.