“I think the market will grow by another 5% in 2013. There is nothing to tell us otherwise. There’s also hope that governmental stability we have now will help get things moving in terms of public sector projects,” Tiberiu Dobre said.
“The market lacked major projects in this sector last year. We need technology in the public sector and we are ready to support any action in this regard.”
Market data show total PC sales in Romania (desktops, laptops and servers) rose by more than 5% to approximately 730,000 units last year. HP was the leading vendor with more than 18% market share.
Sales of laptops amounted to about 540,000 units (up 11% on 2011) and Acer was top vendor on this segment, while HP ranked third, with about 18% market share.
Last year’s results are better, especially considering Romania was the only market in the region that grew. The company’s 2013 plan is to boost market share again, Dobre said.
“We had a market that grew 5% by number of units sold last year, which is very good, considering all the markets around us decreased. It is a performance we, Romania, should be happy about, we have a growing IT market.”
HP posted growth of 18% last year, three times higher than the market’s and its annualized market share reached 18.5% at the end of 2012 from 16.6% in 2011, the HP official said. Plans for 2013 are to boost market share by at least one percent so as to reach 19.5% to 20%.
As for the printer business, Dobre said his company estimates the overall sales of laser printers would be flat in 2013, while inkjet sales will be down 5%.
HP’s market was 56% (inkjet printers) and 38% (laser printers) in 2012. It is aiming for at least 40% share of the laser printer market and over 55% of the inkjet printer segment, Dobre said.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)