In the inkjet segment, Epson replaced HP to regain its top position in the market with a share of 41.1 percent
Indian Hardcopy Peripherals (HCP) market recorded its best Q4 till date in terms of unit shipments. As the country opened further during the festival season and vendors partially resolved their supply issues following a global surge in demand, India’s HCP market witnessed a growth of 4.0 percent quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) during 4Q20 (Oct-Dec 2020). The market registered shipments of 0.95 million units during the quarter posting a growth of 19.7 percent year-over-year (YoY), according to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, 4Q20.
“In the commercial segment, the demand situation improved from a QoQ perspective as certain segments, primarily jobbers, SMEs and SOHOs, resumed full-time operations. However, demand from large corporates continued to be muted as the offices remain closed. The 4th quarter 2020 witnessed increased activity from the government as it released several tenders following directives from Ministry of Finance to other ministers and public sector enterprises to exhaust their planned budget for CAPEX”, says Bani Johri , Market Analyst, IPDS, IDC India.
In the inkjet segment, vendors continued to face supply challenges during the beginning of the quarter. However, the situation improved as the manufacturing hubs in China and Southeast Asian countries increased their capacity to meet the global surge in demand for inkjet printers from the Home segment. Following this, the inkjet segment noted a YoY growth of 38.8 percent. Within inkjet printers, the ink tank printer segment grew steadily following improved availability and the pent-up consumer demand owing to continued work from home and e-learning for students.
The laser printers’ segment (including copiers) recorded a YoY growth of 3.8 percent at the back of laser printers (excluding copiers) as multiple delayed orders from the previous few quarters were executed in 4Q20. The laser copier segment, however, witnessed a YoY decline of 27.5 percent following muted demand from Corporates.
HP maintained its leadership in the overall HCP market with a share of 40.2 percent and a growth in shipment of 22.1 percent YoY. The growth was primarily led by the inkjet segment wherein HP grew by 51.7 percent YoY and captured a market share of 33.8 percent, occupying the 2nd position, as it smoothened its supply and logistics issues to cater to the increased demand. HP recorded an almost equal growth in both the segments – ink tank and Ink cartridge-based printers. In the laser printer segment (excluding laser copiers), it grew by 2.1 percent YoY and continued to maintain its number #1 position with a 55.8 percent market share.
Epson replaced Canon to occupy the 2nd position in the overall HCP market with a market share of 26.2 percent while registering a YoY growth of 14.9 percent. In the inkjet segment, Epson replaced HP to regain its top position in the market with a share of 41.1 percent. This comes primarily at the back of Epson having resolved the supply issues it was facing previously in 3Q20.
Canon recorded a YoY growth of 34.6 percent and occupied the 3rd position in the overall India HCP market, capturing a unit market share of 22.7 percent. In the inkjet segment, Canon observed a YoY growth of 63.9 percent at the back of its increased online presence and lucrative end-user schemes. In the laser segment (including laser copiers) Canon maintained its 2nd position with a market share of 25.0 percent with a heavy dependency on entry-level mono printers, primarily LBP 2900B. In the laser copier segment, although Canon declined by 33.3 percent YoY, yet it continued to lead the copier market with a 32.6 percent market share because of its wide product portfolio and a strong foothold in the corporate segment.
Qaisar
