IDC: 2Q2014 Inkjet and Laser Sales Declined in CEE

According to a statement by IDC, the printer market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) dropped in both volume and value in the second quarter of 2014 (2Q2014). 1.37 Million units were shipped, down almost 19% year on year (YoY), with a $383 million shipment value representing a decline of more than 13% YoY.

IDC asserts the CEE market decrease was caused by continuing slow economic recovery in many countries, as well as geopolitical tensions relating to events in the Ukraine.

The inkjet market dropped by 15.1% YoY in volume and 0.9% YoY in value, featuring a continuing trend of vendors focusing on sales of midrange and high-end devices. Shipments of devices above $100 recorded both volume and value growth, while that of the devices under $100 recorded a decline of more than 20% YoY in volume. The laser market fell more than 20% YoY in volume and more than 15% YoY in value.

Shipment of mono laser products still dominates the overall CEE laser market, with more than 92% share. The transition to higher-speed segments and from single- to multi-function devices continues, said the statement.

In terms of regions, shipments dropped about 60% and 15% YoY in Ukraine and Russia, respectively. Poland and the Czech Republic also saw double-digit volume declines.

“Economic cooperation between Russia and the EU is under serious strain,” says Zdeněk Kroužel, a Research Analyst at IDC. “Concerns related to ongoing sanctions, as well as the threat of additional sanctions in the future, have increased the uncertainty of doing business in Russia. This is having a negative impact on the Russian economy and foreign investment, while many other CEE economies may be negatively affected by reciprocal sanctions from the Russian side. Economic growth in the CEE region will therefore depend heavily on recovery in the Eurozone.”