'Cautious channel uptake' expected as PC monitor shipments set to decline - report

The IDC says rising inflation and weakening consumer demand points to a 'challenging outlook'

PC monitor shipments are forecast to decline in 2022 as a whole despite rosier-than-expected results in the second quarter of the year.

IDC is predicting "cautious channel uptake" over the next few quarters following a 2.7 per cent rise in shipments in Q2 compared to the same time last year.

It says rising inflation and weakening consumer demand points to a "challenging outlook for at least the remainder of the year".

It predicts monitor shipments are now expected to decline 3.1 per cent year over year in 2022 and 2023 will shrink another 4.2 per cent before a weak recovery in 2024.

"Monitor inventory levels are rising in many regions," said Jay Chou, research manager, worldwide client devices tracker at IDC.

"A consumer base that had a good run for the past couple years will now need some time to digest its existing stock."

Figures show Dell led the way for 2Q22 shipments, seeing 8,147 and taking a market share of 22.6 per cent.

HP followed with 4,612 shipments in the quarter, whilst Lenovo secured the third highest number at 4,222.

All three vendors saw year-on-year growth in terms of the number of shipments it had.

"Even though most top vendors managed year-on-year growth in Q2, we believe the next three or four quarters will see cautious channel uptake and further consolidation," Chou said.

"Beyond that horizon, commercial purchases, helped in part by hybrid work, could see the market above water by late 2023."