The Home PC Reform

Computers for everyone! Sweden was going digital, and a political decision—the Home PC Reform—was the answer. High-performance computers with expensive accessories like printers and scanners were sold to employees through their employers, subsidized by tax breaks.

New companies quickly emerged, solely focused on shipping out Home PCs to cash in on the opportunity. One person’s gain is another’s loss. The market for used computers for private individuals collapsed overnight. Inrego lost half its revenue within just a few months, and the overconsumption of brand-new products became a reality.

Political decisions matter and they can reshape a market in an instant.