London, 12th February 2026 - Europe’s PC market is undergoing a structural reset, and refurbished devices are at the centre of it, according to latest insights by global market intelligence firm CONTEXT. 

“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. “As price pressure, constrained supply and sustainability priorities converge, retailers face a narrow window to recalibrate their strategies.”

Across Europe’s five largest markets: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain and France, refurbished PC unit sales through distribution rose 7% year-on-year in Q4 2025. The UK stands out with  sales volumes effectively doubling between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025, overtaking Germany in market share during the second half of the year. “For British consumers, refurbished has moved firmly beyond its niche roots”, added Jacky Chang.

CONTEXT analysis confirms that affordability is the primary driver of growth in the refurbished segment. For notebooks, the €200–€300 price band continues to dominate, accounting for around 40% of sales. At the same time, the €300–€400 segment expanded from 15% of the market in 2024 to 23% in 2025, indicating that consumers are prepared to spend slightly more for improved specifications within the refurbished category.

Value-led buying remains critical in other product groups. One-third of refurbished tablet sales sit below €100, while a similar proportion of desktops are sold in the €100–€200 range.

The latest analysis shows a distinct trend and growing appetite for second-life computing products”, added Jacky Chang. “And 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.”

With ongoing component shortages and pricing pressure in the primary market, refurbished devices offer retailers an opportunity to protect margins while meeting consumer demand for affordable computing.

The refurbished segment is also set to benefit from regulatory change. The EU’s Right to Repair directive, due to come fully into effect in July 2026, is expected to increase the availability of repairable devices and spare parts across the bloc. CONTEXT notes that this will further legitimise second-life technology and strengthen circular economy models within IT retail.

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. 

About CONTEXT
CONTEXT is a B Corp certified provider of market intelligence and analytics for the global technology industry. The company works with leading manufacturers, distributors and investors to support strategic decision-making through advanced forecasting, analytics and data management. CONTEXT systems track more than £200 billion in annual technology sales transactions, supported by a global team of over 400 professionals operating in more than 35 countries.

Press contact
Funda Cizgenakad
T: +44 7876 616 246
E: Funda@contextworld.com