Global shipments of hardcopy peripherals, such as printers and copiers, dropped by 1.5 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2024, reaching nearly 19.2 million units.
The market value of printers and copiers also saw a decline of 6.6 percent, falling to $8.9 billion, according to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
HP (6.8 million), Canon (3.9 million), Epson (3.8 million), Brother (1.9 million), and Pantum (0.6 million) are the leading suppliers in the global printer and copier market during the second-quarter of 2024.
The share of HP was 35.3 percent, as compared with Canon (20.6 percent), Epson (20.1 percent), Brother (9.8 percent), and Pantum (3.3 percent) in the global printer and copier market during the second-quarter of 2024.
United States was one of the few regions to see growth, with a 0.6 percent increase in units shipped. This rise was driven by strong demand for HP Inc. inkjet devices, particularly in the ink tank segment, boosted by price reductions and eTailer channel sales.
China, typically one of the largest markets for hardcopy peripherals, experienced the sharpest drop, with shipments down 3.3 percent year over year. This was attributed to budget constraints in the commercial sector and delayed government purchases.
Among the leading manufacturers, HP, Epson, and Pantum posted shipment growth.
HP saw a 0.1 percent increase, with strong performance in China, where shipments surged 28.4 percent.
Epson experienced a 4.3 percent gain globally, with notable growth in the Asia Pacific region and a strong presence in the education sector, which has growing print needs.
Despite the decline in overall shipments, certain segments and regions provided positive growth signals. However, challenges in key markets like China suggest ongoing headwinds for the industry in the coming quarters.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
