The Q1 2014 worldwide projector market grew 7% in volume compared to the same period a year ago, to 1.87 million units, according to the latest round of research from Futuresource Consulting. In value terms, the market also grew by 7% to reach $2.3 billon. An increase in sales to installation and large venue applications, which are demanding increasingly brighter solutions, helped to boost the market in value terms.
Significant price drops in 1080p and WXGA drove worldwide B2C sales beyond the Q4 gifting period. This trend was most prevalent in the US, Japan, France and Germany. Global sales of 1080p home display solutions increased 46% ‘YoY’, to 126k units.
Q1 showed an emerging niche: ultra/short throw 1080p, with sales growing 546% worldwide ‘YoY’, to 4,400 units. The segment is being driven by an increase in dedicated home display solutions. Due to the benefits offered by short-throw in the home, it is expected this segment will continue to see strong growth throughout 2014.
The default ‘mainstream brightness’ shifted to the 3000-3499 ANSI lumen section in Q1 as the trend towards higher brightness solutions continues. The 3,000 – 3,499 ANSI lumen category now has 42% worldwide market share, an increase of 22% points YoY.
The Q1 2014 the EMEA projector market grew 11% in volume compared to the same period a year ago, to 587k units. In value terms, the market grew by 14% to reach $262m. Price declines of 1080p, coupled with a fluid channel and the start of sell-in promotions for the World Cup combined to propel B2C volumes post the gifting period. Sales of 1080p hit 71k units, compared with 42k units in Q1 2013, a ‘YoY’ increase of 66% (B2B and B2C).
The trend towards higher brightness solutions continues, the 3000-3499 ANSI lumen section is now the default ‘mainstream brightness’ in EMEA with a 40% market share, (an increase of 27% points ‘YoY’). The high-end segment continues to enjoy growth, fuelled by an increase in solutions for this segment amassing demand across multiple verticals. This rise helped the overall market value in EMEA to rise ‘YoY’, to $262m.
Shipments in Eastern Europe amounted to 95k units, representing 16% growth ‘YoY’. Volumes were bolstered by significant education tenders in Slovakia and Baltic states. Price declines of 1080p led to a rise in sales of Home Display products, with the segment now boasting 10% share of the overall market, an increase of 4% points ‘YoY’. The Russian market remained flat ‘YoY’ as political difficulties in the region impede B2B sales, as well as restrict government budgets to education.
Shipment volumes in Western Europe hit 359k units in Q1. The market benefitted from a fluid channel, which, coupled with significant price declines of 1080p and the beginning of sell-in promotions for the World Cup, led to the market increasing 11% ‘YoY’. Market share of 1080p rose 4% points ‘YoY’, to 16%. France and Germany benefited most from such strong retail sales, with ‘YoY’ growth of 19% and 17, respectively.
