INDUSTRY NEWS
European POS printer
market still up 1.2 per cent
despite downturn
uring the current
D
economic slowdown,
POS printer demand
continues to develop
in parallel with the
POS market, according to a
recent report by IC Consulting. It
adds that advances in technology,
The biggest
lower prices and a strong
retail chains
technological development have are expanding
been some of the key factors that faster in
have fuelled sales success over Eastern
the past few years. In 2007 the
European
market increased 8.0 per cent
countries than
and 8.6 per cent in terms of value
in Western
and quantity. However, the global
Europe.
economic crisis that began last
year has, unsurprisingly, also
Fastest growth
Over the past three years, IC varies between approximately five
affected the POS printer market Consulting states that there has and ten years; mainly depending
to some extent. In terms of product group, IC been an increasing technology on the size of the company.
Consulting reports that the one shift from DOT matrix printers to
station POS printers market is thermal and hybrid printers. DOT
Upward trend
the biggest and one of the matrix printers sales decreased
Expansion
fastest growing markets. These by 4.3 per cent in 2008 in terms
According to IC Consulting, products represented some of quantity and are expected to In June 2008, European retail
European POS printer demand 86.6 per cent of the total unit decrease 12.2 per cent in 2009. sales experienced their biggest
was showing an annual upward sales of POS printers in 2008 Thermal printers (including mobile) drop for at least 13 years as oil
trend of over 6 per cent despite and are expected to represent increased 3.2 per cent in 2008 and food costs left consumers
being a mature market in most of 87.8 per cent in 2009. In terms and are expected to increase by with less money to spend on other
the key regions (the UK, Germany of value, two station printers 9.0 per cent this year, driven by goods. However, the biggest
and France). However, this retail chains are expanding faster
development did not last further
than 2008, when the market fell
to 1.2 per cent positive growth in
terms of quantity and decreased
“
in Eastern European countries
In June 2008, European retail sales
than in Western Europe. Poland,
Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic
experienced their biggest drop for at least 13
and Romania. They are undergoing
1.3 per cent in terms of value.
years as oil and food costs left consumers with
an impressive level of modernisation,
Modest 0.1 per cent growth was with increased levels of automation
registered in Western Europe, with less money to spend on other goods.” and POS solutions. Over the past
10.2 per cent being registered in few years, the retail industry in
Eastern Europe in terms of these countries has been increasingly
quantity. The European market is represent 17.8 per cent of the demand for replacement systems in modernised and has undergone
estimated to have accounted for total. More expensive mobile retail and hospitality. IC Consulting a dramatic transformation,
almost 194 million Euros in 2008 printers represent 2.3 per cent adds that the time interval which has positively impacted
in terms of value. of the market in terms of value. between POS printer replacement the POS market in general. circlesolid
www.itrportal.com
IT RESELLER – APRIL/MAY 2009 39
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