Every Wednesday our team of CONTEXT analysts share their expert insight into the IT trends impacting channel businesses across Europe and further afield. These CONTEXT IT Industry Forum webinars are the place to access the latest market intelligence, for better informed strategic decision making.

Among our highlights for June 2025 are growing interest in sustainable laptops, rebounding UPS sales and a positive June for the channel.

Sustainable notebook sales grow on back of HP

The launch of HP Certified Refurbished notebooks has helped to drive uptake of more environmentally sound hardware across the region. France saw a four-fold increase in refurbished notebook volume sales [1] in Q1, with Q2 expected to be even busier. Figures for Q2 continue to accelerate – having already exceeded the 2024 Q4 peak. HP Certified Refurbished was launched in France in late 2024 with Elitebook 840 G5 and G6, and will soon be expanded to the UK. The average selling price (ASP) is down 60% on the usual cost, while refurbished notebooks offer what HP claims is a 60% lower carbon footprint. The UK is already leading the way on sustainability. In Q1, 65% of notebooks here were assessed to be APEAT Gold rated—a figure rising to 94% of AI-capable notebooks.

Robust consumer market helps to boost UPS sales

Despite a 2% annual increase in revenue sales in Q1, Q2 to date has witnessed a reversal in the uninterruptable power supply (UPS) market—down 12% year on year (YoY). The figure fell even further in the UK (-22%) and France (-24%). On the other hand, Spain (12%) and Poland (11%) are performing well thus far in Q2 2025—the former having recorded consecutive weeks of growth since week 18. The growth is mainly being driven by consumer demand through both retail and retail consumer channels. Although the UK is stuck in negative growth for now, there are signs of a turnaround, driven by data centre investment, refreshed projects, and targeted reseller promotions. Today the consumer space occupies around 20% of the total market. Consumer UPS sales in the UK amount to just 5% of the total, far lower than in other markets. But that may be about to change thanks to the impact of home offices, remote work, gaming, and smart home infrastructure that is pushing consumers to invest in reliable power protection.

Software and personal systems drive strong June growth

European sales through distribution stood at 4.6% year-on-year (YoY) in May, following similarly strong growth in the previous two months. That’s due in no small part to the performance of software & services (11%) and personal systems (9%). All countries posted positive growth except for Italy (-3%) and France (-12%). Italy’s woes are being caused by a slowdown in PCs and software, while enterprise infrastructure spending is stalling in France. Spain (13%), the Nordics (13%) and Poland (12%) were the standouts, with growth in Germany (7%) and the UK (3%) boosted in part by server sales.

Warranty sales slump in last quarter

A decline in server warranty sales has led to an overall slump in revenue sales growth across France, Germany and the UK over the past 13 weeks. Spain, Italy and Poland fared little better, although Spain and Italy at least posted some growth between Week 13-18. Storage warranty sales are also declining—hitting -89% YoY in Poland in Week 21. On a more optimistic note, Italy and UK have shown strong growth over recent weeks and sit comfortably above the revenue trend index baseline. Germany, France, Spain and Poland have largely been in negative territory over the past 13 weeks, although Poland and Spain recorded a slight uptick in Week 21.

For more on these and other IT channel trends, tune into CONTEXT’s weekly IT Industry Forum webinars. Register here.