Is demand for printer ink increasing? November 24, 2011 12:00 by John Sollars

As new figures indicate the UK is using more printer ink and toner cartridges than last year, it seems the appetite for document processing solutions is on the rise. While the rest of the world stagnated, printer sales in the UK grew six per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2011, according to figures from Context.

Meanwhile, the British Printing Industries Federation has said the third quarter was marked by increased sales volumes in the sector, further reflecting rising demand for printers, ink cartridges and the like.

The statistics appear to be borne out by individual companies, too. Kodak reported a rise in group revenues in Q3 that was led by a 44 per cent increase in consumer inkjet printers and ink.

However, Xerox saw revenues from products like printers and ink cartridges up only marginally, while HP reported "disappointing" results that may reflect a wider slowdown in the industry.

While the Context report reveals the UK is buying more printers, growth in the rest of the world is faltering. Sales of inkjet and laser printers across Europe and Middle East and Africa (EMEA) declined by 0.6 per cent during Q3 2011 when compared to the same period a year ago.

Western Europe saw shipments drop by one per cent, while deliveries in Central and Eastern Europe fell 7.4 per cent. The picture in Africa was very different, however, with sales up by over a fifth on last year (21.7 per cent).

HP remained in top spot, accounting for 44.4 per cent of total inkjet and laser printers sold in the EMEA region. Canon printer ink appears second most popular, taking 21.4 per cent of printer sales, while Epson held onto third place despite a fall in market share. Brother, Samsung and Lexmark make up the remaining spots in the top six.

Posted by John Sollars