Belong, Itochu Group, Launches Store on Mercari's New Resale Service 'm department'

Belong Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koichiro Nishimura; hereinafter 'Belong'), which operates the personal used smartphone sales and buyback service 'Nicosuma', announces its store launch on 'm department' (hereinafter 'm depa'), Mercari Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer and CEO: Shintaro Yamada; hereinafter 'Mercari')'s newly launched resale service with professional quality assurance.

Overview of 'm department'

'm department' is a new e-commerce site independent from the 'Mercari' app. All products offered are 'refurbished items' or 'authenticity-verified branded goods' that have undergone inspection, repair, cleaning, and authenticity verification. The platform specializes in providing high-quality products at accessible prices, backed by professional quality assurance, comprehensive warranty, and return policies.

'm department' EC site URL: https://mdepa.jp.mercari.com/

Background of Belong's Entry into 'm department'

Demand for used smartphones is growing amid rising prices of new devices. However, consumers still face psychological barriers to purchase due to concerns such as battery degradation, hidden defects, and lack of post-purchase warranty.

Through 'Nicosuma', Belong has proactively addressed these market concerns by implementing a strict functional inspection process with over 25 inspection items, clear disclosure of battery capacity, and a comprehensive warranty of up to one year—ensuring anyone can purchase used smartphones with confidence.

To make high-value products an accessible and trustworthy choice for everyone, expanding into reliable sales channels is essential. Belong has determined that launching on 'm department', which upholds strict quality standards and robust support, is the optimal way to realize its mission.

Belong will collaborate with Mercari through 'm department' to further energize the resale industry and contribute to advancing a circular economy.

About 'Nicosuma'

'Nicosuma' is a used smartphone sales and buyback service operated by Belong, part of the Itochu Group. Guided by the motto 'Rather than new, choose what suits you,' it helps customers find smartphones that match their lifestyles.

- Nicosuma (Used Smartphone Sales)

https://www.nicosuma.com/

Offers high-quality devices that redefine the image of used smartphones.

Detailed condition reports for each device allow customers to make informed choices.

- Nicosuma Buyback (Smartphone Trade-in)

https://www.nicosuma.com/sell

Simple valuation with no registration required.

Clear appraisal criteria and thorough data deletion ensure even first-time users can trade in their devices with peace of mind.

Useful information on smartphone buying and selling is also shared via 'Nicosuma Tsushin' (https://www.nicosuma.com/magazine).

Company Overview

Belong operates under the mission 'Deliver the next value you can proudly share with someone important.' It provides tailored used device services for both individuals and businesses, including the individual-focused EC sites 'Nicosuma' (https://www.nicosuma.com/) and 'Nicosuma Buyback' (https://www.nicosuma.com/sell), and the business-focused rental, sales, and buyback service 'Belong One' (https://bz.belong.co.jp/). Committed to honesty, Belong delivers peace of mind in used devices to everyone by offering high-quality devices at fair prices through rigorous inspection processes.

Company Name: Belong Co., Ltd. (Itochu Group)

Established: February 2019

Representative: President and CEO Koichiro Nishimura

Headquarters: ◆Head Office: 4F, Akasaka ZEN Building, 6-4-10 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

◆Sagamihara Operations Center: 3F, GLP Sagamihara, 2-10-10 Hironodai, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture

●Company names, product names, and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.