The refurbished electronics market in Europe is seeing explosive growth, with Austrian company Refurbed and French competitor Back Market both crossing the €3 billion gross merchandise volume (GMV) milestone within months of each other. This rapid advancement highlights the competitive landscape of refurbished electronics, particularly the impressive trajectory of the Vienna-based Refurbed. This comprehensive guide covers vienna scale-up refurbed hits €3b gmv, challenging france’s back market in detail.
Understanding Vienna Scale-up Refurbed Hits €3B GMV, Challenging France’s Back Market
Founded in Vienna nine years ago, Refurbed has achieved remarkable growth, increasing its GMV from €2 billion to €3 billion in under eleven months. This surge is attributed to a €50 million funding boost last year, which has enabled the company to scale operations effectively. CEO Peter Windischhofer stated, "After achieving profitability and securing fresh capital, we invest where we see clear demand and functioning infrastructure. We scale where our model works, and we know that it works." This strategy has positioned Refurbed as a major player in the refurbished electronics market. Learn more on Investopedia.
The company's impressive growth is reflected in its expansion from eleven to 24 European markets, which now includes 13 new countries such as France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Switzerland. With this expansion, Refurbed is now catering to a combined consumer market of approximately 486 million individuals. The company has reported an overall growth of about 40 percent compared to the previous year and has successfully sold over ten million products across its various markets. In Austria, nearly one in ten adults has shopped at Refurbed, demonstrating strong local Support.
Back Market's Strong Performance
Back Market, which has been operating since 2014, also reported a significant GMV of over €3 billion for 2025, representing a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The platform now connects with 17 million customers worldwide, showcasing its robust appeal. Germany emerges as a particularly strong market for Back Market, which saw a staggering 56 percent growth in the second quarter of 2025. Martin Huegli, Chief Commercial Officer at Back Market, noted, "Germany is rapidly developing into a core market for sustainable technology. The impressive growth demonstrates that refurbished premium devices are no longer a niche topic for customers."
This growth underlines the rising consumer acceptance of refurbished products as sustainable alternatives. Back Market's strategy includes a focus on expanding its presence in the USA, which has now become its second-largest market after Europe.
Contrasting Growth Strategies
Despite both companies experiencing rapid growth, their strategies differ significantly. Refurbed prioritizes European expansion and emphasizes the number of markets it operates in, currently positioning itself as the market leader on the continent. In contrast, Back Market maintains a global outlook, with particular emphasis on the US market.
Refurbed is also targeting a premium segment, with its new line of "excellent" products seeing an impressive 113 percent increase in orders. The company has established partnerships with notable brands like Dyson, Kärcher, and AEG, allowing these manufacturers to refurbish and sell their products directly on Refurbed's platform.
Meanwhile, Back Market is diversifying its offerings by launching a repair platform, which has been available in France, Germany, and Spain since September 2025. This approach not only enhances their service portfolio but also positions them as a more comprehensive solution for consumers interested in sustainability.
The Future of the Refurbished Market
The rapid growth of both Refurbed and Back Market is indicative of a larger trend in consumer behavior towards sustainability and cost-effectiveness. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchases, refurbished electronics are gaining traction as a viable alternative to new devices. The competition between these two platforms is likely to intensify as they continue to innovate and expand their offerings.
Looking ahead, the refurbished electronics market is poised for further growth, driven by advancements in technology and an increasing consumer base. Both Refurbed and Back Market are set to play pivotal roles in shaping this landscape as they strive to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Originally reported by Trending Topics. View original.