Demand for large-format displays continues uptick

Worldwide flat panel sales expanded through end of 2013 and EMEA stayed strong

Shipments of professional-grade large-format flat panel displays surged eight per cent quarter on quarter to push 2013 sales up 20 per cent by volume from 2012, according to Futuresource.

Ben Davis, market analyst at specialist researcher Futuresource Consulting, confirmed that 567,000 large-format displays had been sold around the world in the last quarter of 2013, boosting both quarterly and full-year figures.

"The EMEA region continues to perform well, with quarterly volume growth standing at 16 per cent, and market volumes reaching 163,000 units," Davis added.

Other strong markets in EMEA included Russia and Poland, making for a regional 16.6 per cent by volume quarterly expansion of the category.

"Year-on-year growth in the [EMEA] region stands at 22 per cent and the market grew quarter on quarter by 14 per cent. However, this is excluding the Turkish market," Davis noted.

"Market value remains consistent with calendar year Q2, growing 12 per cent quarter on quarter with good demand for 60in and 70in screens complementing stable volumes in the middle-sized ranges."

In Turkey, a public sector project had sent sales of large screens rocketing in the previous year, he explained, while last year had seen good growth in shipments across most of EMEA.

Entry-level and prosumer products "continue to gain traction", Davis said, while high-end kit lost share. Demand for mid-range products was relatively steady. Video walls have maintained a "strong position" as the market grows, he said.

The figures are from a 111-page quarterly report on flat panel sales in the corporate and public display markets.