Hardcopy Peripherals (HCP) market in India registered shipments of around 1.1 million units in the July-September quarter 2018
India’s inkjet printer market grew by 5.5 per cent in the third quarter of this year as compared to the same period last year. The inkjet printer shipments contributed 55.3 per cent to total HCP market in the country, the highest ever recorded, according to latest IDC Asia Pacific Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker.
The inkjet printer shipments growth was led by ink tank printers, which witnessed an increase of 12.9 per cent, year-on-year, it added.
However, the overall laser printer market recorded a decline due to the Government’s move on enforcing limitations on refurbished copier market. The laser copier market recorded a 37.5 per cent growth in the third quarter over the previous quarter.
Hardcopy Peripherals (HCP) market in the country registered shipments of around 1.1 million units in the July-September quarter 2018, an increase of 25.6 per cent compared to previous quarter. It can be majorly attributed to the robust demand for laser printers after Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation in 2017. However, there was a decline of 1.7 per cent in HCP shipments, year-on-year.
Online channels boost sales
Commenting on the report, Bani Johri, Market Analyst, IPDS, IDC India, said, “Shipments in Q3 of 2018 were driven primarily by the online channel segment in preparation for the sales events in the run up to the Diwali Festival. Unlike the previous years, 2018 was marked by the increased focus of e-commerce players on the printer category.”
“Having realised the success of mobile phone, accessories and the various white goods categories in previous such online events, both HCP and e-commerce players were fairly confident of replicating it with Printer category as well this year,” Johri added.
Major brands
American multinational HP Inc (excluding Samsung) continues to dominate in HCP shipments with a market share of 39.4 per cent in the third quarter and registering a growth of 22.7 per cent, quarter-on-quarter.
Epson, the Japanese electronics company, maintained the second position in the overall HCP market in India. In July-September period, the company recorded a 20.7 per cent growth in HCP shipments, quarter-on-quarter. It also continues to dominate in the inkjet printer segment with a unit share of 40.2 per cent and a growth of 21.8 percent, quarter-on-quarter.
Japanese multinational Canon maintained its third position in the Indian HCP market, backed by its inkjet and the laser copier segment. In three-month period, the company recorded a growth of 24.5 per cent in HCP shipments, year-on-year.
Restrictions on refurbished market
The strict regulation by Indian Government on the refurbished copier market through close monitoring and increased seizing of illegal units at ports provided impetus to the original copier market, the report stated.
The refurbished copier market has always been an eyesore for original vendors. With its partial closure, original copier vendors are getting plentiful opportunities to enhance their customer base by targeting the customers of these devices with attractive pricing deals.
