The European PC landscape is shifting. While the industry often focuses on the newest silicon, the combination of economic constraints and the ongoing component squeeze has brought the refurbished category into sharper focus.

Data from the CONTEXT Weekly IT Industry Forum shows refurbished unit sales across Europe's 'Big Five' markets (Italy, UK, Germany, Spain, and France) rose by 7% year-on-year in Q4 2025. The UK stands out in this dataset, with volumes effectively doubling over the last 12 months. British consumers are increasingly treating second-life tech as a primary option.

Price Sensitivity and the Shift to Higher Specifications

Cost remains the fundamental driver for consumer adoption. However, while the market remains price-sensitive, there is a clear migration toward higher-value units.

• Notebook Sweet Spot: The €200–€300 price band remains the most significant, accounting for approximately 40% of sales.

• Mid-Range Growth: The €300–€400 segment grew from 15% of the market in 2024 to 23% in 2025. This suggests that while buyers seek value, they are willing to increase their spend for improved technical specifications.

• Entry-Level Stability: Low-end price points remain vital for specific form factors. One-third of refurbished tablet sales fall below €100, while a similar proportion of desktops sell within the €100–€200 range.

This upward trend suggests buyers are prioritising performance. They appear willing to invest slightly more for 'nearly-new' devices to secure better specifications, rather than accepting the limitations often found in entry-level new hardware.

Managing Inventory Quality in Q1

Supply chain integrity has become a pressing topic for retailers. High costs for memory and storage are influencing the specifications of refurbished stock. There is a noticeable trend of units originally built with 16GB RAM appearing with 8GB, or sold without memory, to keep prices down.

Ensuring inventory quality is essential. Retailers vetting their sources now can better avoid customer disappointment when these machines face 2026 software demands.

The July 2026 Regulatory Outlook

The European 'Right to Repair' directive arrives in July 2026 and will reshape the circular economy. This legislation mandates the availability of spare parts and repair information, lowering barriers to quality refurbishment. Retailers establishing robust circular models today will be aligned with this upcoming shift in how technology is maintained and resold.

Retail Pulse Summary

• UK Growth: The UK has overtaken Germany in refurbished market share.

• Performance Demand: Buyers are moving up-market in search of value without sacrificing specs.

• Sourcing Integrity: Component costs are impacting unit quality, making strict vetting necessary.

For a regular breakdown of European retail trends, join the Retail Pulse Newsletter now.