Asia PC Market Sees Volumes Grow as Unit Prices Slump
SINGAPORE, March 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- GfK Asia releases its 2007
Year End Pan Asian IT Retail Data Summary, showing a steady expansion in
volume but limited change in value in the region's IT sector. GfK Asia's
annual report contains detailed data based on retail sales of personal
computers (PC), both desktop and portable; monitors, printers,
multifunctional devices, keyboards and printer cartridges from ten Asian
countries*.
Personal Computers
GfK Asia reports that volumes in the total region's retail PC market
expanded dramatically in 2007, with an average overall regional increase of
21%, but with plummeting per unit values, the overall US$ value of sales
actually declined by 5% when compared to 2006.
During 2007, the greatest increase in the PC market was in personal
portable computers, with an average regional volume increase of 45% year on
year. China was the leader in sales growth with a marked 53% in volumes, to
command 57% of all personal portable computer units sold in the region in
2007. However, Unit values for personal portable computers fell
dramatically -- in China, the average unit price fell from US$1146.57 in
2006 to just US$994.65 in 2007. The retail desktop PC market across the
region increased at a much slower rate, gaining an overall average of 8%
volume and a net fall in value of 6% across the region during 2007 when
compared to 2006.
"The rapid notebook expansion in most Asian countries due to the
eroding price points continues to drive volumes," explains Gerard Tan,
Commercial Director, IT and Office, GfK Asia.
Malaysia, which has recently embraced branded PCs over the assembled
PCs previously sold, was the stand-out performer in 2007 posting an overall
growth of 68% in PC sales volumes and 72% in sales value. This growth is
comprised of 111% volume increases in portable personal computers and 35%
increase in desktop PC volumes. Interestingly, values rose 92% in both
categories, indicating that the average unit value of desktop PCs in
particular took a dramatic leap in 2007, compared with the year before.
Stand-Alone Monitors
2007 regional retail sales of stand-alone monitors increased an average
12% for volume (just over 3 million units) and 15% for value when compared
to 2006. China and Taiwan led the region with the highest overall volumes,
with approximately 750,000 retail units sold in China in 7 main cities and
over 800,000 retail units sold in total Taiwan. Yearly growth in monitor
volumes was concentrated in Malaysia (45%), Indonesia (34%) and Vietnam
(32%) when compared to 2006.
Mr. Tan comments, "Consumers from developing markets in Asia increased
their adoption of LCD displays over the course of 2007. Where as LCD
displays are a more expensive purchase than the standard CRTs which were
dominant in past years, which explains the growth in volumes in these
particular countries."
Printers
GfK data shows the region's overall retail printer market is falling,
with some individual markets such as Vietnam (23%), and Malaysia (36%)
showing good volume growth, counterbalanced by other, more mature markets,
such as Hong Kong (-16%), Taiwan (-9%), and Australia (-30%), which showed
significant falls in volume when compared to 2006.
"These figures illustrate the mature market trend moving away from
single- function printers in favor of multi-function printing devices. In
developing Asia, where PC penetration rates still relatively low and
households are acquiring their first PC, single-function printers are
selling due to the lower overall consumer spend," added Mr. Tan.
Multifunctional Devices
Of the nine Asian countries surveyed*, multifunctional devices
increased an average of 17% for volume and 9% for value in 2007 compared to
2006. Malaysia lead the way showing the greatest year-end volume increase
of 86%, followed by Thailand (30%) and New Zealand (29%) in 2007 against
2006. Value growth was lower than volume growth across the region,
indicating a continuing regional trend of lower unit prices.
"As multi-function printers are considered as 'first' printers in the
household, single function printers will loose steam and streamline itself
to the high and semi-high end photo dedicated printers. We see as well a
growing trend of small photo printers in countries like Singapore and
Australia that are eating into the single function printer shares,"
finishes Mr. Tan.
About GfK Asia Pte Ltd:
GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading
research company with over 23 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),
digital imaging, optics, entertainment and gaming. 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 offices in India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Taiwan and
Japan, GfK Asia offers extensive coverage of the following countries:
China, Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India,
Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand, The Philippines and
Australia. For further information please visit our website:
http://www.gfkrt.com .
About The GfK Group:
The GfK Group is the No. 5 market research organization worldwide. Its
activities cover the three business sectors of Custom Research, Retail and
Technology and Media. The GfK Group achieved sales of 1,112.2 million Euros
in financial year 2006. The Group has 115 companies covering over 90
countries. Of a total of approximately 8,760 employees (as of September 30,
2007), 80% are based outside Germany. For further information, visit our
website: http://www.gfk.com .
Editors Notes:
* Countries surveyed are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, India and Australia.
* Countries surveyed for Multi functional devices are China, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and Australia.
Survey data available upon request.
Media Contact:
Lisa Williamson
Bryant Williamson Communications
Tel: +65-9100-4097
Email: lisa@bryantwilliamson.com
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