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Western Europe Printer Market in Decline
According to research by International Data Corporation (IDC), the Western European printer and multi-function (MFP) market showed a slight decrease in unit terms of 0,8% when compared to the same period a year ago as consumer inkjet shipments contracted.
This gave a Q414 market figure of 6,84-million units and represents actual a unit decline of 52 000 units. On a more positive note, revenues increased as more high speed laser MFP laser and business inkjets shipped.
However, the overall hardcopy market in Western Europe did recover in 2014 and combined printer and MFP shipments increased by 2,9% for the year and as with recent trends, the switch from single function to multifunction continued in most major segments.
As with Q414, MFP products accounted for 82,4% of all shipments. The overall MFP market increased by a minimal 0,6%, while printers continued to decline at -6,5%.
While the laser market showed an overall slight 0,6% year-on-year decrease, laser MFPs showed the most growth, at 8,3%, with an impressive 17,3% for colour devices and a more modest 1,6% for mono. While the A3 laser market showed a slight increase the overall A4 market showed a decline of almost 1% indicating the continued threat from business inkjets.
While the overall market showed a small decline in Q414, the trend by country is more pronounced with a double digit decrease in the Nordic countries. More positive trends are observed in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Business inkjet remains successful, with a 46,1% year-on-year increase and multifunction products showing the highest growth rates. Germany alone represents 39% of the business inkjet market, followed by France and the UK.
“While the inkjet segment has been associated for a long time with the consumer market, business inkjet proved to be a game changer, with excellent growth for the past seven quarters. It is a real alternative to laser and is slowing the decline of the inkjet market,” says Delphine Carnet, senior research analyst in IDC’s Western European Imaging Hardware Devices and Document Solutions group.
The overall Western European hardcopy market declined year-on-year by 0,8% in Q414 and, while the laser market showed a small decline, colour devices saw a significant 10% growth compared to Q413.
Most of the colour growth was again from A4 MFP products, while colour printer products declined and a similar pattern occurred with monochrome devices.
Business inkjet performed very well this quarter, with 51% growth for the MFP devices, while printers saw a more modest 15,9% growth.
High speed colour laser equipment showed excellent growth, largely due to the increase in market revenues.
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