UK leads surge in refurbished PC sales across Europe

Refurbished PCs are moving into the mainstream across Europe's biggest markets. The UK is recording the fastest growth as consumers seek lower prices and retailers contend with constrained supplies of new devices.

New figures from market intelligence firm CONTEXT show refurbished PC unit sales through distribution rose 7% year on year across Europe's five largest markets in the final quarter of 2025: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain and France.

The UK was the standout. Sales volumes almost doubled between the final quarters of 2024 and 2025, and the UK overtook Germany in market share in the second half of 2025.

"Our latest analysis shows second-life computing moving decisively into the mainstream, with the UK emerging as the fastest-growing market in Europe," said Jacky Chang, ESG Specialist at CONTEXT.

The surge comes as buyers weigh the cost of new laptops and desktops against alternatives. Refurbished devices are increasingly popular with households and small businesses that want a working computer at a lower price point.

Price bands

Affordability remains the main driver of growth in refurbished PCs, particularly notebooks. The €200-€300 price band accounted for about 40% of refurbished notebook sales, according to CONTEXT.

Demand has also shifted towards higher-priced refurbished laptops. The €300-€400 segment grew from 15% of the market in 2024 to 23% in 2025, reflecting consumers paying more for better specifications within the refurbished category.

"For British consumers, refurbished has moved firmly beyond its niche roots," Chang added.

Other categories show similar value-focused demand. One-third of refurbished tablet sales were priced below €100. A similar share of desktops sold in the €100-€200 range, based on distribution channel data.

Supply pressures

Growth in second-life computing comes as the market for new devices remains under pressure. Component shortages in recent years have constrained availability at times, affecting pricing and replenishment cycles.

Retailers have responded by widening their mix of product conditions, including refurbished and other second-life stock. This provides an alternative supply stream when new inventory is tight and gives merchants more flexibility on price points when shoppers trade down.

Refurbished devices can also help protect margins in a competitive market where input costs have fluctuated. CONTEXT described refurbished stock as a commercial response as the market continues to adjust after periods of disrupted supply.

"The latest analysis shows a distinct trend and growing appetite for second-life computing products," Chang added. "The direction of the trend is for higher-spec units with higher values. In a market with locked-in supply constraints, these can be an attractive solution for retailers and consumers looking for a solid workaround."

Regulatory tailwind

Regulation is also expected to shape the refurbished market in Europe over the coming year. The EU's Right to Repair directive is due to come fully into effect in July 2026.

The directive is expected to increase the availability of repairable devices and spare parts across the bloc, further normalising second-life technology and strengthening circular economy models in IT retail, according to CONTEXT.

The change could influence how products are designed, repaired and resold. Wider access to components and repair information typically lowers barriers to refurbishment and maintenance, and can improve the economics of extending device life. That, in turn, affects how much stock reaches resale channels.

While the UK is outside the EU, the wider European market still shapes supply chains used by major manufacturers, distributors and refurbishers. Cross-border flows of used equipment and parts also affect how quickly refurbished stock can be sourced at scale, particularly for popular business laptop models that often enter the second-life market in batches.

For retailers, CONTEXT argued that refurbished devices are becoming a structural feature of the PC market rather than an add-on category. "As price pressure, constrained supply and sustainability priorities converge, retailers face a narrow window to recalibrate their strategies," Chang said.

CONTEXT is a B Corp-certified provider of market intelligence and analytics for the global technology industry. Its systems track more than £200 billion in annual technology sales transactions, supported by a team of more than 400 professionals across more than 35 countries.

"For retailers, the message is clear. Refurbished is no longer a secondary play. It is becoming a structural feature of the European PC market, led by a price-conscious and increasingly sustainability-aware consumer base," Chang said.