In line with expectations, the EMEA PC market displayed solid growth in the final quarter of the year, expanding by 18.9% year on year in 4Q05, according to preliminary data released today by IDC. Boosted by strong consumer sales and the continued momentum in the notebook space, shipments rose to 22.3 million units across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Continued growth in the CEMA region also contributed to a solid year and boosted overall shipments in EMEA to close to 70 million units for 2005.
"The final quarter of the year performed as expected, driven by intense marketing activity during the Christmas season and continued portable adoption, and provided a nice finish to the year, boosting EMEA shipments ahead of the US market levels for the first time," said Karine Paoli, research director for IDC's EMEA PC group. "Consumer demand for notebooks remained unabated, assisted by aggressive price points in the retail channel and there is no sign of slowing down in 2006," she added.
Notebooks continued to drive overall growth across the region with shipments rising by close to 40% compared with the same quarter last year. Consumers continued to respond very positively to very attractive price points but portable demand in the business space remained very strong too. Rather high inventory levels placed in the channel since November also contributed to boost sales in levels in this final quarter of the year.
The desktop market maintained positive trends albeit moderate at 9%. Demand for digital entertainment systems coupled with attractive bundles continued to stimulate consumer desktop purchases and renewals. Commercial desktop sales remained soft as in the 3rd quarter, directly impacted by slowing business refresh activity and desktop replacement trends in the SMB space.
All regions performed in line with forecasts. Western Europe posted a solid 15% growth in 4Q leading to 16% for the full year, while ongoing infrastructure investment and strong demand for notebooks continued to boost sales to in CEE and MEA to over 25% and 38%, respectively.
"The EMEA PC Market recorded yet another strong performance in the fourth quarter," said Elsa Opitz, research manager, EMEA PC Tracker. "Buoyant retail sales during the Christmas season and a thriving notebook market fuelled high volumes across the region. In Western Europe, countries in the Southern hemisphere enjoyed a particularly good end of year, with Italy and Spain recording over 25% growth overall, while the Nordic countries also beat expectations. Of the three largest markets France and the UK maintained healthy growth at 14% and 13% respectively while Germany delivered more moderate trends at 8%. Expansion in the Central Europe and Middle East Africa PC markets continued at a vigorous pace, with robust double-digit growth recorded across the entire region. Poland and Ukraine recorded particularly strong performances while Russia, the largest market, maintained solid growth above 20%. Growth of 38% in MEA markets was boosted by an outstanding quarter in Turkey and continued investment in the Middle East countries.
Price pressure remained high across all channels and market performance will remain much more subdued in value terms.
"The final quarter of the year performed as expected, driven by intense marketing activity during the Christmas season and continued portable adoption, and provided a nice finish to the year, boosting EMEA shipments ahead of the US market levels for the first time," said Karine Paoli, research director for IDC's EMEA PC group. "Consumer demand for notebooks remained unabated, assisted by aggressive price points in the retail channel and there is no sign of slowing down in 2006," she added.
Notebooks continued to drive overall growth across the region with shipments rising by close to 40% compared with the same quarter last year. Consumers continued to respond very positively to very attractive price points but portable demand in the business space remained very strong too. Rather high inventory levels placed in the channel since November also contributed to boost sales in levels in this final quarter of the year.
The desktop market maintained positive trends albeit moderate at 9%. Demand for digital entertainment systems coupled with attractive bundles continued to stimulate consumer desktop purchases and renewals. Commercial desktop sales remained soft as in the 3rd quarter, directly impacted by slowing business refresh activity and desktop replacement trends in the SMB space.
All regions performed in line with forecasts. Western Europe posted a solid 15% growth in 4Q leading to 16% for the full year, while ongoing infrastructure investment and strong demand for notebooks continued to boost sales to in CEE and MEA to over 25% and 38%, respectively.
"The EMEA PC Market recorded yet another strong performance in the fourth quarter," said Elsa Opitz, research manager, EMEA PC Tracker. "Buoyant retail sales during the Christmas season and a thriving notebook market fuelled high volumes across the region. In Western Europe, countries in the Southern hemisphere enjoyed a particularly good end of year, with Italy and Spain recording over 25% growth overall, while the Nordic countries also beat expectations. Of the three largest markets France and the UK maintained healthy growth at 14% and 13% respectively while Germany delivered more moderate trends at 8%. Expansion in the Central Europe and Middle East Africa PC markets continued at a vigorous pace, with robust double-digit growth recorded across the entire region. Poland and Ukraine recorded particularly strong performances while Russia, the largest market, maintained solid growth above 20%. Growth of 38% in MEA markets was boosted by an outstanding quarter in Turkey and continued investment in the Middle East countries.
Price pressure remained high across all channels and market performance will remain much more subdued in value terms.
