B2B channel now dominates tablet market

Predictions that tablet would be a consumer-only device blown out of the water by new Context figures

Sales of tablets through business channels in the UK are now outstripping consumer sales by almost two to one, says Context.

According to the market watcher, 63.5 per cent of UK tablet sales in the second quarter of 2012 travelled through business-focused resellers, compared with just 34.5 per cent a year earlier.

The figures blow out of the water initial predictions that the tablet would be a consumer-only, or at least consumer-focused, device.

It was a similar picture across western Europe, where sales through business channels now make up 55 per cent of the total, compared with 40 per cent in Q2 2011.

Apple tightened its grip on the business tablet market across the region, with iPad sales accounting for 72 per cent of the total, up from 56 per cent a year earlier.

Salman Chaudhry, mobile computing analyst at Context, said: "This is largely due to the company's strong engagement with corporate resellers and marketing campaigns focusing on the potential business uses of the iPad around versatile applications that can keep mobile workforces connected."

Context said the imminent launch of Windows 8 would accelerate tablet penetration of the workplace as some firms have been holding back on adopting iPads or Android-based devices.

"Microsoft clearly has the corporate space in sight with the expected launch of the Windows Surface tablets," Chaudhry added.

"While Apple's success came from prosumer demand and an increasing trend in BYOD [bring your own device] across the enterprise space, Microsoft will rely on strong engagement with CIOs via the channel."