Projections looking better than ever

Latest figures reiterates signs of UK projector market growth

Projector sales in the UK have been growing continuously since the third quarter of 2010, according to June statistics from GfK.

Mehryar Hamid, account manager at the market watcher [pictured], said the projector market's future was continuing to look bright -- despite government cuts in the UK alongside ongoing economic turmoil in the Eurozone as well as further afield.

"After several months of declining sales, August 2010 was a breath of fresh air as the projector market showed signs of growth for the first time in the past 18 months," he said.

"Surprisingly, this growth has continued over the past two quarters, with the market up 14 per cent in April 2011. In value terms this represents a gain of more than £1 million in comparison to April last year."

Hamid said that projectors stood out against a Q1 where several product categories had done well. The market was undoubtedly returning to strength, despite the UK economy as a whole only expanding 0.5 per cent.

Business channels still dominate projector sales, but consumer channels are becoming increasingly important, he added.

"More manufacturers are starting to cater to this side of the market as well. With the development of new technologies in the consumer electronics industry, newer models with HD and 3D compatibility are now gradually becoming much more influential on the consumer side of the projectors market," Hamid said.

In April, 12.3 per cent of projectors sold in the UK were HD ready, and 9.1 per cent 3D ready. Portability was another driver, Hamid said.

Bill Coggshall, analyst at projector market specialist Pacific Media Associates (PMA), confirmed that growth is expected.

"Total worldwide unit shipments will grow 24 per cent to 10.5 million units in 2011," he said. " By 2015 PMA expects total unit shipments to reach 39.7 million units."

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