Western European printer and multi-function (MFP) markets continued to show strong growth as 3Q14 showed increases of 2% when compared to the same period a year ago, according to data released by International Data Corporation (IDC).
This gave a 3Q14 market figure of 5,87-million units and represents actual unit growth of over 118 000 units. But there are strong pressures on prices and the value of hardware shipping continued to contract.
MFP products again accounted for 80,8% of all shipments as a result of the MFP market increasing by 2,8% and printers declining by 1,2%.
Laser markets remained flat and the main emphasis for growth was again on colour MFP products, but the single biggest market for hardware remained the A4 printer, even though this segment contracted. Inkjet markets continued to show year-on-year increases but demand in consumer markets weakened, while the growth patterns of business inkjets were again strong.
“The overall market increased for the sixth quarter in a row and although this growth may not be in double-digit figures, it does show that there are still many positives to be taken from the industry and there are several growth markets such as business inkjets and colour laser which have become a major focus for many vendors wishing to adapt their business models to changing customer requirements,” says Phil Sargeant, program director of IDC’s Western European Imaging Hardware Devices and Document Solutions group.
Main highlights from the study include:
* The overall Western European hardcopy market increased year-on-year by 2% in 3Q14;
* Year to date shipments for 2014 are 4,5% higher than for the same period in 2013. This equates to growth of over 700 000 so far in 2014 and this shows that that 2014 is likely to be a positive growth year;
* Total inkjet markets increased by 2,8% in the second quarter of 2014 from the second quarter of 2013. Business inkjets showed the most year-on-year growth at 10,9% and consumer markets slowed. showing a more modest growth of 1,8%;
* The laser markets were effectively flat. A result of -0.1% year-on-year growth saw small gains for colour products, but this was offset by declines in the monochrome markets, especially printers; and
* High-speed inkjet printers increased by more than three quarters and the technology had one of its best ever quarters.