Western European printer and multi-function (MFP) markets continued to show strong growth, with 2Q14 increasing 5% compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker from International Data Corporation (IDC).
This resulted in a 2Q14 market figure of 4,92-million units, with growth of more than 234 000 units. There were many positive growth areas, with notable increases in colour laser and inkjet markets, but monochrome laser markets again contracted as the move to colour products continues.
As with 1Q14, MFP products accounted for 78% of all shipments in 2Q14. The overall MFP market increased 7,8%, while printers continued to decline, at -3,6%. The colour laser and inkjet markets increased for both MFP and printer products, but monochrome markets declined in both product categories and printer products declined at a greater rate than MFP.
Inkjet markets showed good growth in both business and consumer segments. Most inkjet growth was from the UK, which was the largest market in Western Europe for inkjet products in 2Q14, largely due to increases in consumer inkjets.
Overall, most countries showed growth in 2Q14, but there are still some signs that certain markets are struggling with the recovery. Growth patterns are also varied across those countries with positive results, with some showing strong double-digit growth and others remaining in low-single-digit growth.
“Confidence has clearly now returned to the Western European printing and imaging markets with 2Q14 being the fifth quarter in a row that has shown year-on-year shipment increases,” says Phil Sargeant, programme director of IDC’s Western European Imaging Hardware Devices and Document Solutions group.
“The growth was initially being driven by business markets but consumer markets have shown gains in some countries, meaning that market confidence is also filtering through to home users.”
The overall Western European hardcopy market increased 5% year on year in 2Q14, with gains in both ink and laser markets. Overall 1H14 shipments are 6% higher than in 1Q13.
Total inkjet markets increased 8,8% in 2Q14 from 2Q13. Business inkjets showed the most year-on-year growth, at 12,9%, and consumer markets showed positive growth of 8,2%.
Laser markets stuttered, however, with growth at -1,1%, largely due to the continual decline in monochrome single-function printers and a quarterly dip in monochrome MFP products.
Overall, printers declined 3,6%, while overall MFP shipments increased 7,8%, with MFP increases seen in consumer inkjets, business inkjets, and colour laser products.
High-speed inkjet printers increased by a quarter when compared to the same period a year ago, indicating that these devices are becoming popular in a variety of markets.
