HP Lifts IJ Supplies Prices, Changes Access for Resellers

HP announced another hike in its small-format inkjet supplies and photo value packs, effective June 1, 2013. The increase is a part of HP’s normal portfolio management process. But according to some analysts, the action might be mostly motivated by shrinking print volumes in its consumer inkjet business and the declining revenue generated by its printer and consumables sales in recent quarters.

Another explanation is that with two fewer competitors in the inkjet business (Lexmark and Kodak), HP felt the time was right to increase prices on inkjet supplies. HP and Lexmark initiated price increases on printer consumables in 2012. The price boost was followed by Epson, Xerox, Canon, Brother and others. HP also jacked up the prices on its large-format supplies this March.

HP also signaled a “fundamental change” in access to its supplies for resellers. According to HP, it will classify original HP inkjet cartridges (both small-format and large-format) and LaserJet cartridges as “authorized products.” Hence, only authorized partners will be able to purchase HP supplies from HP distributors to sell to end users.