Sales Volumes in Czech HCP Market Stymied by Political Strife and Currency Devaluation
Source: idc.com View: 264 Date: 2014-03-18

A slump in tender-based shipments when compared with the final quarter of 2012 resulted in a sharp value decline of the Czech hardcopy peripherals market in Q4 2013. Market volume growth was inhibited by the decision of several vendors to cut down on sales of unprofitable entry-level inkjet devices. According to global research and consulting company IDC, the market declined 22.6% year on year in value to 131,188 units worth $41.11 million in the final quarter of last year.

"Declining public investment, in comparison with Q4 2012, is the result of political uncertainty, among other factors. Early elections in October 2013 and a three-month post-election period with no government in place limited calls for tenders," says Zuzana Babická, a senior research analyst at IDC. "In addition, the depreciation of the Czech currency by the Czech central bank shifted the peak in Christmas sales to mid November, as well as increasing the prices of hardcopy devices while generally lowering the purchasing power of Czech consumers."

As many planned purchases were realized at the end of 2013, and distribution channels were still heavily stocked due to an expected price increase from the beginning of 2014, post-Christmas sales are expected to end up weak, thus pulling down the market in H1 2014. Nevertheless, mild growth in total market volume is expected in the first half of 2014, due to improved economic sentiment, a more stabilized public sector environment, and extremely low shipment volumes in H1 2013. Vendors will focus mainly on inkjet MFPs priced above $200, midrange laser and production devices, and near-field communication (NFC) technology, as well as on broadening their document solutions portfolio.


Notes:

IDC includes A2-A4 devices in the Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker.

Hardcopy peripherals include single-function printers, printer-based multifunction peripherals (MFPs), and single-function digital copiers (SF DC). Data for all vendors is reported for calendar periods.
For more information about IDC’s Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, please contact Ilona Stankeova (istankeova@idc.com).

Regions Covered: Central and Eastern Europe, Czech Republic

Topics Covered: Multifunctional peripherals, printers

About IDC

IDC leads the ICT innovation discussion through events, research, and consulting. For nearly five decades, it has been giving ICT and business professionals data and insight for making strategic and practical decisions. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and events company. Learn more at www.idc.com.

Devott Publications
The Selection of the TOP Global Outsourcing Destinations – China TOP 15 (TGOD China TOP 15) Ended and Its Rankings and Research Reports are Now Available Worldwide