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CeX (retailer)

C.E.X. Limited, trading as CeX, 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. As of May 2025, there are 393 stores in the UK, and a further 231 internationally, with a number of its locations being franchises.[4][5]

History

CeX was started by Paul Farrington,[6] Robert Dudani,[7] Hugh Man,[8] Charlie Brooker,[9][10] Oli Smith and Oliver Ball. The first shop opened on London's Whitfield Street, close to Tottenham Court Road in 1992.[11] 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",[11] 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.[8]

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

See also

External links

References

  1. C.E.X. LIMITED overview Companies House, 1996-05-03, retrieved 2024-01-23^
  2. CeX (UK) : About CeX uk.webuy.com^
  3. C.E.X LIMITED GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 25 Sep 2024, retrieved 6 June 2025^
  4. Rich Pelley. The joy of CeX: how to spend £10 in the secondhand gaming mega store The Guardian, 2024-01-26, retrieved 2024-02-17^
  5. Start a CeX Franchise What Franchise, 2019-02-06, retrieved 2024-02-17^
  6. About Paul Farrington uk.webuy.com (CeX) obituary, retrieved 2024-10-15^
  7. The entrepreneurs The Guardian, 11 April 1999, retrieved 14 November 2012^
  8. How Hugh Man helped CeX achieve roaring trade across the globe Elite Franchise Magazine, 7 February 2018, retrieved 20 March 2019^
  9. Cara Ellison. Gaming Made Me - Charlie Brooker Rock Paper Shot Gun, 16 July 2013, retrieved 20 March 2019^
  10. CeX (UK) : About CeX uk.webuy.com, retrieved 2021-06-23^
  11. About CeX^
  12. What payment options do CeX offer for store orders? webuy.com, retrieved 24 June 2024^
  13. CeX (UK) : Contact CeX uk.webuy.com^
  14. CeX Franchise review whichfranchise.com, retrieved 30 April 2008^
  15. Is New Addington really a "benighted ghetto"? - Eastlondonlines 10 September 2012, retrieved 26 April 2017^
  16. The Secret Millionaire - S10 - Episode 5: Bobby Dudani Radio Times, retrieved 26 April 2017^
  17. Secret Millionaire yob out of job after six weeks Your Local Guardian, 13 June 2012, retrieved 26 April 2017^
  18. Secret Millionaire: CeX's Bobby Dudani goes undercover in Croydon retrieved 26 April 2017^
  19. CeX Lovers Make Good Choices February 2017, retrieved 2024-04-22^
  20. Tech Center - Games Console Repairs Tech Centre^
  21. Tom Phillips. You can now order CEX from JustEat Eurogamer, retrieved 9 July 2025^
  22. Elektronicaketen CeX sluit alle winkels in Nederland - RetailTrends RetailTrends, hét platform voor professionals in retail & brands, retrieved 2025-06-06^
  23. Bedankt en vaarwel Nederland CeX, 2025-09-25, retrieved 2025-10-03^
  24. Charlie Brooker - On Technology, Truth and Black Mirror 14 November 2024, retrieved 19 November 2024^
  25. Damien McFerran. The Brilliantly Subversive CeX Ads That Set Charlie Brooker On Course For 'Black Mirror' Timeextension.com, retrieved 12 July 2025^
  26. CeX (UK) : Franchising uk.webuy.com^