Multifunction adds colour to global market domination

IDC tracker reveals colour MFDs showing strength compared with other print products

Brother has retained its fourth spot in the print market globally, with MFDs leading the way

Colour laser MFDs have shown more resilience to sales decline in the global hardcopy peripherals market than other product categories, according to IDC.

Product ranges are becoming more dominated by MFDs as colour sales ramp up, the analyst reported in its latest tracker.

“As colour continues to penetrate the overall hardcopy market, the MFD market is weathering the economic downturn better than its single-function counterpart,” IDC said.

Colour MFD shipments fell six per cent year on year in Q2. The overall hardcopy peripherals market collapsed 21 per cent to 24.1 million units. Total shipments for the overall market fell 23.2 per cent to $11.6bn (£7.2bn).

Phuong Hang, programme manager for IDC’s Worldwide Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, said cheaper MFDs were another bright spot in the market for Q2.

“We are seeing increased shipments for devices priced below $300 (£185),” Hang said. “And the major vendors are emphasising innovative cost savings – including extended warranties or extended supplies agreements – in the advertising.”

Vendors were trying to tempt buyers with promotions of savings on devices and consumables that could be made over a three-year period.

Manufacturers were also focusing on managed print services or cost-cutting and productivity improvements for customers’ existing document infrastructure, Hang said.

Some 16.6 million inkjet devices were shipped globally in Q2, with colour inkjet MFDs recording year-on-year growth of -13 per cent, the second slowest sales decline behind colour laser MFDs.

The $4.2bn (£2.6bn) monochrome laser market is the largest segment, but has the lowest rate of MFD penetration so represents the largest MFD sales opportunity, according to Hang.

Overall unit shipments in Western Europe fell 23 per cent year on year, putting the region in third place globally with 4.8 million units shipped. HPcontinues to lead the market, with twice the market share of nearest rival Canon.

Epson, Brother and Lexmark remained third, fourth and fifth, respectively.