Mixed Bag Despite Laser Gains in Western Europe

Despite the overall declining trend in the Western European printer market, the number of laser printer shipments increased during the third quarter of 2016 (Q3 2016).
According to research analysts International Data Corporation (IDC), the printer and multifunction (MFP) market declined by 1.5% in 3Q16 compared with the same period last year.
Despite being relatively in line with forecasts, IDC says the market decline is largely due to the contraction in consumer printing.
Revenues from the sale of printers, however, grew by 3%. The impact of business inkjets saw a small 1.5% increase in revenue, but laser revenue increased by 3.2%.
The number of laser printer shipments also increased by 1.9% in 3Q16, a sharp contrast with the negative trend for the last five quarters. Inkjet printer shipments, however, declined 13.1% in the same period. MFP products declined by 14.6, but business inkjet printers increased by 3.8% in the quarter. Despite this, business inkjet MFPs accounted for 90.3% of all business inkjet shipments in 3Q16.
The percentage of MFPs shipped increased slightly to 83.3%.
There was a decline in the business market in 3Q16; the market, comprising laser and business inkjet devices, declined by 2.7%, but the value increased by 2.7%. The highest value growth was in 31ppm+ color devices, a positive trend that has been seen for more than a year now.
“The negative trend in the printing and imaging industry continued in 3Q16,” said Delphine Carnet, senior research analyst in IDC’s Western European Imaging, Hardware Devices, and Document Solutions group. “In addition to a bleak Western European market, we have observed for the first time since 1Q13 a double-digit decline for the very successful business inkjet devices. All price bands have seen declines, showing that this is a global market trend.”

Looking at performances by countries, Germany fell 6.6% after four negative quarters. France decreased 1.3% over the same period last year, and the U.K. suffered a 5.3% decline.

You’re Welcome to Contact Us!
You can provide opinions and comments on this story!
Or you can send us your own story!
Please contact us, via editor@RTMWorld.com