IDC: Sales Volumes in Czech HCP Market Stumbled in 4Q2013

As revealed by International Data Corporation (IDC), the sales volume in Czech hardcopy peripherals (HCP) has suffered due to political disputes and currency depreciation. Compared with 4Q2012, the Czech HCP market in 4Q2013 posted a drastic value decline to 131,188 units worth $41.11 million.  This amounts to a drop of 22.6% year on year in market value.

IDC predicts growth in the overall market volume in the first half of 2014. The growth will be mainly driven by “improved economic sentiment, a more stabilized public sector environment,” and extremely low shipment volumes  for the same period in 2013. In addition, inkjet MFPs, priced around $200, midrange laser and production devices, as well as near-field communication (NFC) technology, will be the focus of vendors this year. These companies will also strive to broaden their document solutions range.

Zuzana Babická, a Senior Research Analyst at IDC, stated, “Declining public investment, in comparison with 4Q2012, 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. In addition, the depreciation of the Czech currency by the Czech central bank shifted the peak in Christmas sales to mid-November, increased the price of hardcopy devices, while generally lowering the purchasing power of Czech consumers.”