PC shipments grew by 18.7 percent in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in the third quarter of 2003 compared with the same quarter last year, according to IDC preliminary data.
Stimulated by relentless price erosion and fierce competition across both business and consumer channels, notebook sales recorded an outstanding 51 percent growth year on year in the region. With a price decline of more than 25 percent year on year, however, vendor performance in revenue terms has not been as positive.
As anticipated, desktop sales showed improvement over previous quarters, driven by a gradual rebound in business renewals. Despite these gains, the notebook market has clearly been the major contributor to overall growth in EMEA.
The retail channel also played a major driving role in the third quarter, as expected. Assisted by a growing entry-level product offering, sharp price cuts, and fierce vendor competition, consumer notebook sales continued to boom, recording historic growth levels in the back-to-school season. The accelerated shift towards notebooks in the SMB market also contributed to boost the market.
Although price declines have had an obvious impact on vendors' performance in revenue terms, all vendors clearly enjoyed strong unit growth in the notebook market. While international vendors have played a major role in both the consumer and SMB channels, they continued to face challenging competition from major local vendors across the region.
According to IDC, HP enjoyed a strong performance in the third quarter, with 17.6 percent growth year on year, and maintained clear leadership in EMEA. The vendor recorded another outstanding quarter in the notebook space with over 60 percent growth, thanks to a continued push in the retail channel and aggressive pricing strategies. HP also maintained a clear leadership in the desktop and x86 server markets.
Dell continued to outperform the market, recording another strong quarter with nearly 30 percent growth year on year across EMEA. Benefiting from the gradual corporate rebound, Dell also continued to gain share in the SMB and consumer spaces thanks to effective selling and pricing strategies, as well as expanding outside Western Europe.
Fujitsu Siemens maintained a strong third position in EMEA, despite fierce competition from both international and local vendors across the business and consumer markets. Fujitsu Siemens has performed well, with improved desktop sales and strong notebook sales thanks to a continued focus on mobility and an improved channel strategy.
Acer recorded another outstanding quarter with over 55 percent growth overall, primarily driven by strong notebook sales. The vendor clearly continues to gain ground in EMEA, consolidating a strong number two position in the notebook market through increased presence in both the distributor and retail channels.
IBM enjoyed a healthy quarter, although dropping back to fifth position in the overall ranking as the vendor's focus remains on the business market. IBM continues to face strong competition from HP and Dell as well as vendors such as Acer in the SMB space, but is holding up well thanks to increased effectiveness and competitive price positioning.
NEC CI, Toshiba, and Sony also recorded strong performances this quarter, all benefiting from the notebook consumer boom and effective positioning in the retail channel. NEC CI enjoyed triple-digit growth for its Packard Bell and NEC notebook product lines. Toshiba did well despite fierce competition and Sony also recorded strong results across both its desktop and notebook ranges. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
