Indian Hardcopy Peripherals (HCP) market recorded its best Q4 till date in terms of unit shipments. The market witnessed a growth of 4.0% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) during 4Q20 (Oct-Dec 2020). The market registered shipments of 0.95 million units during the quarter posting a growth of 19.7% year-over-year (YoY), according to IDC Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, 4Q20.
In the inkjet segment, vendors continued to face supply challenges during the beginning of the quarter. There is surge in demand for inkjet printers from the Home segment. Following this, the inkjet segment noted a YoY growth of 38.8%. Within inkjet printers, the ink tank printer segment grew steadily following improved availability and the pent-up consumer demand owing to continued work from home and e-learning for students. The laser printers' segment (including copiers) recorded a YoY growth of 3.8% at the back of laser printers (excluding copiers) as multiple delayed orders from the previous few quarters were executed in 4Q20.
The laser copier market dropped by 44.9% owing to weak corporate and Government demand. The inkjet market declined by 9.2%, due to the surge in demand from the Home segment. CY2020 observed high demand for Wi-Fi and ink tank printers which could be met partially as vendors struggled to furnish enough stock. In the commercial segment, the demand situation improved from a QoQ perspective as certain segments, primarily jobbers and SMBs/SOHOs, resumed full-time operations. However, demand from large corporates continued to be muted as the offices remain closed.
Channel Players: HP, Canon, Epson, Xerox and Ricoh .
