Decision by vendors to focus on mid-range and high-end devices results in sharp decline in hardcopy peripherals (HCP) shipments during first half of 2013 (H1 2013).
IDC has reported that the HCP market in the Czech Republic saw a 25.1 percent year-on-year decline in the first half of this year, with shipments falling to 167,663 units worth $62.48 million (€46 million) following “strategic decisions” by vendors to cut down on sales of “unprofitable” entry-level devices.
IDC explained that due to persistently tough economic conditions, end users are looking for ways to increase productivity and competitiveness, and despite a tendency to postpone investments, organisations with extensive printing needs are increasingly willing to buy high-end devices if it is financially viable and the devices elevate productivity.
It added that sales of upper-level midrange and high-end laser devices are driven by vendor promotions, affordable print service offerings and EU funds. Meanwhile, market demand continued to shift from single-function printers to MFPs in both colour and mono laser segments during H1 2013.
Commenting on the Czech HCP market conditions, Zuzana Babicka, Senior Research Analyst at IDC, said: “The market recorded the lowest level of shipments in the past ten years, as key players moved away from inkjet devices priced below $100 (€74) and entry-level laser devices, due to extremely low profit margins on such models and low usage of original consumables that they generate.
“In spite of this, the market grew mildly in value year-on-year, due to an upsurge in sales of production-grade devices and strong sales of midrange colour laser MFPs.”