C.E.X. Limited, trading as CeX (/sɛks/), is a British retailer predominately dealing in pre-ownedvideo games, 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.[3]
As of January 2024, there are 390 stores in the UK, and a further 230 internationally, with a number of its locations being franchises.[4][5]
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 24-month 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]
The pronunciation of the chain's acronym name was confirmed as "sex" in British commercials aired in February 2017.[20]
In November 2017, CeX launched a technology repair service called Tech Centre[21] (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.