IDC Reports Worldwide Printer Market Fell 11% in 4Q2012

According to IDC’s worldwide market report, the total volume of printer shipments in the fourth quarter of 2012 fell 11.2% when compared with the same period in 2011. The weak global economy and changes in consumer printing habits are said to have caused the decline. IDC claims total shipments dropped to 31.1 million units.

Inkjet devices, despite enjoying 64% of the market, saw shipments fall 14% to 19.8 million units. Color laser printers decreased 11% with 1.7 million units shipped, among which color laser MFPs witnessed their first declining quarter.

Among the world’s top vendors, HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and Samsung still lead the way. HP continued to hold the Number One title with 38.5% market share. Chasing after HP is Canon, with another 3% increase to capture 22.4% of the market. Epson shipments declined 3% but still ranked Number Three with 14.4% market share.

Despite the bleak market, IDC is optimistic about printer sales in 2013.

“The inkjet market is largely responsible for the declines due to weak consumer demand” said Phuong Hang, IDC’s Program Manager, Worldwide Hardcopy Peripheral Trackers. “However, business inkjet growth is solid, and these premium-priced products are helping vendors to overcome some of their consumer revenue declines. IDC expects the market will slowly begin to recover as consumer confidence returns, but growth rates will be in the single digits,”