UK replaces Germany as all-in-one inkjet leader

Final 2011 quarter sees UK move to head of shipments table in western Europe

An update from research firm Context says the UK overtook Germany to lead shipments to western Europe of all-in-one inkjet printers in Q4 2011.

"Both the UK and France registered a healthy 15 per cent and 11 per cent growth respectively in Q4 2011 versus Q4 2010," said Context in its online update. "Germany contracted by five per cent over the same period."

Western Europe overall saw 1.5 per cent growth in shipments of all-in-one print devices, compared with the same quarter in 2010. However, the full 2011 year saw shipments shrink two per cent, the analyst stated.

Canon and Epson did well, according to Context's research, expanding sales volumes to western Europe three per cent and 16 per cent respectively, versus the final quarter of 2010.

HP remained the leading brand, although its volumes in Q4 of 2011 declined two per cent compared to the year-ago quarter, it said.