Portable Personal Computers Continue to Gain Market Share in Asia’s PC Market, But Desktop Units Still Majority Share
SINGAPORE, Aug. 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- GfK Asia releases its 2007 Mid-Year Pan Asian IT Retail Data Summary, which highlights the trends in the region’s IT sector. The report contains detailed data from nine Asian countries* showing mid-year figures for 2007 against the same period in 2006. The report covers personal computers (PC), both desktop and portable; monitors, printers, multifunctional devices, keyboards and printer cartridges.
Overall Growth
GfK Asia’s report shows continued growth in the region from January to June 2007 when compared to the same period last year. The greatest percentage of growth for both volume and value in all categories was reported in portable PCs (43% / 31%). The lower growth in value, compared with volume, signals heavy price competition in the Asian markets. The lowest percentage of growth for both volume and value was seen in the printer (-6% / -5%) category, due to the continuing popularity of multifunctional devices (17% / 15%) which affected single function inkjet printer sales. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are still showing positive growth for both single and multi-function printers, but this trend is not seen in developed Asian countries. The largest number of units sold overall, excluding consumables, was in the category of personal computers (6,089,121),representing both desktop units (3,741061) and portable units (2,348,060), with personal computers overall showing a growth of 19% in volume and 20% in value over the same period in 2006.
Personal Computers
In the first half 2007 in Asia’s retail PC market (desktop and portable personal computers), China (45 cities) led for volume, with a 19% increase to just over 4 million PC units, totaling over US$2.9 billion in revenue, a 20% increase from the same time last year. This represents an average unit price of US$615 for desktop units and US$982 for portable units.
This compares with average unit prices in Hong Kong of US$715 for desktop units and US$1231 for portable units, in Malaysia of US$599 for desktop units and US$890 for portable units, and in Australia of US$943 for desktop units and US$1305 for portable units. Price points are becoming more diverse, as operating systems within the machines are now available in DOS, Linux, Microsoft XP and Microsoft Vista. Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia are exhibiting higher price points as Vista is standard now for PCs sold in retail, whereas countries like Thailand and Indonesia are still dominated by DOS, Linus and Microsoft XP pre-loaded machines.
Portables reported the higher overall volume growth than desktop units, at 43%, with desktops showing only 8% growth for volume during the first half of 2007 when compared to the same period last year.
-- Desktop PCs
Desktop personal computers reported the highest volumes in China (45
cities, 2,697,914 units, just under $US1.66 billion in revenue),
followed by Taiwan (262,682 units, just over $US153 in revenue),
Indonesia (194,167 units, just under $US89 million in revenue), and
Australia (125,152 units, $US118 million in revenue), Singapore had
the lowest volume of units sold (23,609 units, $US23.4 million in
revenue), and also recorded the highest average unit price in the
region, at $US991.
-- Portable PCs
Portable personal computers reported the greatest volumes in China
(45 cities, 1,326,264 units, just over US$1.3 billion in revenue),
Australia (342,041 units, $US446.5 million in revenue), and Taiwan
(193,011 units, $US200 million in revenue).
Gerard Tan, Commercial Director, IT, GfK Asia comments, “Due to the growth that we are witnessing for China now, we have since expanded our city coverage in China to represent 110 cities, up from 45 cities at this time last year. China represents a large and growing share of the Asian IT market, and our expansion is a reflection of our continuing commitment to providing the best possible market information to our clients. Interestingly, the larger cities in China are showing very different buying patterns from the smaller cities and more rural markets. Because of these differences, GfK continues its in-depth look into these markets to give our clients a better understanding of this vast and complicated market.”
Printers
GfK Asia’s report shows the region’s retail printer market in decline, with 7 out of 9 countries tracked noting negative or no change in the first half of 2007 when compared to the same period last year. Hong Kong (23%) showed a volume increase of 12%, but a decrease is sales value of 2%. The exception was Malaysia, where printer sales increased 38% in volume and 49% in value.
Multi Functional Devices
Across seven Asian countries surveyed*, multi functional devices increased an average of 17% in volume and posted an average value increase of 15%. Malaysia showed the greatest mid-year volume increase of 128%, followed by Thailand at 26%. All other countries reported growth rates between 6% and 17%.
“These figures indicate the trend for printers to be replaced with multifunctional devices is continuing throughout developed Asia,” said Mr. Gerard Tan. “Small photo printers continue to grow in countries where single function inkjet printers are showing declines.”
Color Print Cartridges
Color print cartridges had an overall increase of 14% for volume and 17% for value for a total of US$233.5 million in retail sales in the four countries tracked* from January to June 2007 when compared to the same period in 2006.
However, in a striking difference to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, which showed increases of 14% / 17% and 36% / 40% for volume and value respectively, Thailand reported a decline. Color print cartridge sales were down -10% for volume and up just 1% for value. The drop can be attributed by the growing popularity of refilling stations in developing Asian countries as an alternative and lower cost means of ink replacement.
About GfK Asia Pte Ltd
GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading research company with over 15 years experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Our analysts track a broad range of consumer technology markets, including: consumer electronics, telecommunications, IT, household electrical appliances (large and small) as well as digital imaging. GfK Asia covers 55 product groups and over 300,000 models, collecting monthly data from over 6,000 specialist / independent shops as well as over 170 organized retailers with approximately 15,000 outlets. This disciplined methodology, together with tight field operational control in every country, allows GfK Asia to produce high quality reports containing reliable information that our clients can use with confidence.
Based in Singapore, with other offices in India and Japan, GfK Asia offers extensive coverage of the following countries: China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Australia. For further information please visit our website: www.gfkms.com
About The GfK Group
The GfK Group is the No. 4 market research organization worldwide. Its activities cover five business divisions, Consumer Tracking, HealthCare, Retail and Technology, Media and Custom Research. In addition to 15 German subsidiaries, the company has over 120 subsidiaries and affiliates located in 57 countries. Of a current total of around 8,000 employees, approx. 1,500 are based in Germany. For further information, visit our website: www.gfk.com
Notes:
*Countries surveyed include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Australia.
*Countries surveyed for multi functional devices are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia.
*Countries surveyed for color print cartridges are Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Survey data available upon request.
Media Contact:
Lisa Williamson
Bryant Williamson Communications
Tel: +65-9100-4097
Email: lisa@bryantwilliamson.com
