(lifepr) Egham, UK, 12.02.2008 - PC shipments in Western Europe totalled 17.9 million units in the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of 9.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2006. The Western European market saw slower growth in the fourth quarter 2007 compared with an overall average growth of nearly 12 per cent in 2007.
"Western Europe saw varied growth rates across the region," said Ranjit Atwal, principal analyst at Gartner, based in the UK. Southern European Countries, like Portugal and Spain, continued to exhibit strong growth above the Western European’s average growth, while the more saturated Nordic region saw lower growth overall. The expected consumer boost normally associated with the fourth quarter was less pronounced especially in the consumer desk-based segment.
UK: Desk-based market saw strong decline
PC shipments in the UK totaled 3.3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of 9.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2006. In 2007, PC shipments in the UK grew 11 per cent compared to 2006.
"The biggest casualty was the desk-based market that declined more than 15 per cent," Mr Atwal added. "This was the result of weaker demand from the business segment."
The dynamics in the consumer market were different as users purchased higher specifications rather than just concentrated on price. In general, PC sales in the retail sector were strong during the quarter but many retailers decided to reduce exposure to inventory going into 2008 as the economic environment continued to be uncertain.
Hewlett-Packard increased its market share in the fourth quarter of 2007 but experienced the same slowdown in the desk-based market.
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