INDICATORS - Desktops and mini-towers

Context presents an analysis of the form factor split evolution in retail of desktops and mini-towers in Europe between Q3 1997 and Q2 1998

 UK
 % MARKET SHARE              JUL 97-JUN 98
 Desktop                                34
 Mini-tower                             66
 Total                                 100
 (C) CONTEXT RetailWatch 1998.

In Q3 1997, the UK market was split fairly evenly between mini-towers and desktops.

However, the percentage of desktops in the retail market has decreased, steadily accounting for less than a quarter of space shelf by the end of Q2 1998.

 GERMANY
 % MARKET SHARE              JUL 97-JUN 98
 Desktop                                15
 Mini-tower                             85
 Total                                 100
 (C) CONTEXT RetailWatch 1998.

The German market shows a lower representation of desktops in Q3 1997 compared with other countries in Europe, with an average of only 15 per cent throughout the year. This reflects a higher PC specification in the German retail market, where the percentage of mini-towers increased from 78 per cent in Q3 1997 to 89 per cent in Q2 1998.

 FRANCE
 % MARKET SHARE              JUL 97-JUN 98
 Desktop                                38
 Mini-tower                             62
 Total                                 100
 (C) CONTEXT RetailWatch 1998.

France follows a similar trend to the UK, although desktop sales have decreased at a slower rate, down to 29 per cent of shelf space in Q2. Throughout the year, desktops accounted for almost 40 per cent of shelf space in the retail market, the highest average of any of the countries covered by this analysis.

 NETHERLANDS
 % MARKET SHARE              JUL 97-JUN 98
 Desktop                                21
 Mini-tower                             79
 Total                                 100
 (C) CONTEXT RetailWatch 1998.

As in Germany, mini-towers in the Netherlands take the larger proportion of shelf space, growing from 70 per cent in Q3 1997 to 86 per cent in Q2 1998.