Printer Shipments Down in Major India Cities

Originally published by Wirth Consulting

Printer Shipments Down in Major India Cities, but Inkjet Leads with 52.2 Percent Share

According to market-research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), the printer market declined in India’s major 50 cities by 17.5 percent in fourth-quarter 2017 after a “momentous” third-quarter 2017.

According to IDC’s latest India Monthly City-Level A4 printer Tracker, the printer market in 50 major cities in India witnessed a decline of 17.5 percent in fourth-quarter 2017, following a strong third-quarter 2017.

Inkjet printers led the overall market with 52.2-percent market share. India’s Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai were the top three cities in terms of sales, while Pune, Vadodara and Bangalore were the major growth markets in fourth-quarter 2017, with an average growth of 19.1 percent.

Although fourth-quarter 2017 witnessed a decline due to mitigation of India’s GST (Goods and Services Tax) impact for accounting, IDC says both vendor and channel partners pushed sales through channel schemes and end-user promotions across major markets, along with their regular channel-expansion programs.

According to Abhishek Mukherjee, senior market analyst for IDC India: “Low cost of ownership and printing compared to laser printers account for the increasing uptake of Inkjet printer category.”

Within the inkjet category, Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS)/ink-tank inkjet printers dominated the market in the fourth-quarter. Tier 3 and 4 cities generated 50 percent of the CISS sales volume. Requirements from SOHOs (small offices and home offices) and SMEs (small and mid-size enterprises), the co-operative banking segment, and printer-service vendors were the major drivers behind increased demand for ink-tank inkjet printers in these markets.

“Wide reach and depth of the distribution network are the key to catering to the demand coming from Tier 3 and 4 cities. Almost all the brands have increased channel presence in smaller cities to fulfil the demand,” added Mukherjee.