Computers and Peripherals in the US

TRENDS

One of the overarching trends that has negatively affected all product categories in US retail computers is the mounting tendency for the average US consumer to view a computer as just another household commodity. This has been the case for desktops since at least 2005, when retail sales of laptops eclipsed those of desktops in the US for the first time, but laptops have now been affected by this shift in consumer perception as well. More and more consumers view the laptop not as a product that should be regularly upgraded, but as an appliance that needs to be replaced only when broken – like a dishwasher or a refrigerator. Many in the industry have felt that tablets may help to forestall this shift in consumer perception, but the introduction of larger smartphones (and, indeed, lighter laptops) has dented the usage case for tablets in the eyes of some consumers.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Apple Inc held onto its lead in retail sales of computers in 2017 with a 24% volume share. Apple’s share decreased slightly in 2017, however, primarily due to slipping sales of iPad tablets. Although Apple’s retail volume sales of computers declined by 8% over the course of 2017, this pace of decline was outstripped by Apple’s nearest rival in the US computer space, Samsung Corp, which experienced a volume sales decline of 11%. Samsung’s volume share of computers slipped to 9% in 2017, in large part due to the company’s overreliance on the slate tablet form factor.

PROSPECTS

The outlook for US computers and peripherals remains challenging over the forecast period, with retail volumes sales expected to decline at a CAGR of 5%. Retail volume sales of computers, specifically, are projected to record a CAGR decline of 5% over the forecast period, whereas peripherals is expected to record a CAGR decline of 6%.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.