21/11-03   -   Pressmeddelande

Value of Nordic PC Market Declines Noticeably in Spite of Historically High Unit Growth, Says IDC

Demand for PCs in the Nordic region has picked up as all-time-low prices boost demand in both the consumer and commercial segments. According to IDC´s latest Nordic PC tracker, in units terms the PC market recorded the largest growth since the initial PC Home scheme shipments fueled the market in 1998. However, fierce competition on prices resulted in the value of the market declining, and conditions in the market are harder than ever.

Following a lengthy period of stagnating and even declining PC sales, sales in the third quarter of the year grew 20% to 763,000 units. Denmark and Finland led the increase, both with more than 35%, while Sweden lagged noticeably, with just 3%. Demand for portables continues to rise, but even the desktop market showed double-digit growth. Though the commercial segment is undoubtedly picking up, as the installed base of PCs has started to be renewed, it is consumers´ PC purchasing frenzy that is driving demand.
As consumer confidence rose and companies´ IT budget constraints were eased, the PC market seemed to be heading for recovery. PC vendors, resellers, etc. looked forward to this and targeted the market aggressively in order to benefit most from it. The result: immense price pressure. Helped by the weakening of the U.S. dollar, average PC prices have plummeted about 30% in just one year. End users obviously benefit, but tying the prices blindly to currency fluctuations is a double-edged sword: though the low prices spur demand today, end users anticipate that prices will not increase. Consequently, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar could lead to a halt in demand as prices inevitably grow.

For more information contact:
Anders Elbak
+45 39 16 22 22
aelbak@idc.com

To purchase IDC´s Nordic PC Tracker #510300, please contact one of the following:
Denmark — Susanne Arildsen, +45 39 16 22 43
Norway — Åke Lunden, +46 8 751 0415
Sweden — Pelle Hallberg, +46 8 751 0415
Finland — Pipsa Ylä-Mononen, +358 9 8770 4654
Nordic — mailto:gnilsson@idc.com, Pelle Hallberg, +46 8 751 0415

About IDC
IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. We analyze and predict technology trends so that our clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 700 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations.

IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and events company. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com
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