European Sales of Laser Multi-function Printer Hardware register +8% growth

LONDON - Feb. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- Despite an overall drop of -4% in Printer Hardware unit sales through Western Europe distribution in 2013 compared to the previous year, Laser MFPs bucked this trend and grew +8% over the same period, according to data published today by CONTEXT, the European IT market research company.

All other Imaging categories saw sales decline in Western Europe distribution during 2013 according to CONTEXT.  Inkjet MFP unit sales fell -3%, Laser single-function printers (SFPs) -9% and Inkjet SFPs -12%.

The CONTEXT report notes that in many of the markets, Printer Hardware distribution sales in all categories combined were in single-digit decline. However, there were a few exceptions with France recording a positive +5% year-on-year growth in all Imaging categories (with the exception of Inkjet SFP), while Belgium (+8%) and Ireland (+1%) showed positive sales growth too.

“The growth in France was driven mainly by the Laser MFP category, where Samsung recorded a 13% increase in sales driven by colour printers in this segment”, said Zivile Brazdziunaite, Imaging Market Analyst at CONTEXT. “Demand for Samsung's A3 and A4 MFPs that feature the web-based XOA (extensible Open Architecture) Embedded open platform, which allows for increased productivity and savings in operational costs, further strengthened the company’s position in the business market.”

HP and Samsung showed -6% and -5% year-on-year declines of overall Printer Hardware distribution sales in 2013, while Canon and Brother saw an impressive +28% and +15% growth for the same period. Kyocera and Xerox distribution sales stayed stable. Oki, Ricoh and Dell recorded double-digit positive growth.

Year-on-year unit growth (%) and split by main countries (2013 vs. 2012):

Country outline

Germany -5%
UK -8%
Italy -3%
France +5%
Spain 0%
Switzerland 0%
Austria -10%
Belgium +8%
Ireland +1%

About CONTEXT
Headquartered in London with over 140 staff in 12 countries, CONTEXT specialises in tracking technology sales and pricing across the globe. With real time data captured from a wide range of channel sources including exclusive access to Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) members, the US$3 billion of sales processed each week in Europe provides the most accurate channel market information available today across a range of business and consumer technology products. CONTEXT reports and services enable our customers to assess their business operations in the light of actual sell out figures, and make business critical decisions based on hard data. Follow us on Twitter: @contextworld.com or visit our website: www.contextworld.com

Media contacts
Funda Cizgenakad
Funda@contextworld.com
Tel: +44 7876 616 246