In the first quarter 2016, the Finnish technical consumer goods market experienced a fall in sales of 3.8 percent, compared to the same quarter in 2015, according to the data published by GfK Temax. Significant declines were registered in the consumer electronics and photography sectors, down by 18 percent and 22.2 percent respectively, compared to Q1 2015. However, the major domestic appliances, Information technology and Office equipment and consumables sectors all rose.
Finland: technical consumer goods – sales value by category
Major domestic appliances
All product groups in the MDA sector (with the exception of freezers) increased in value in Q1 2016, compared to Q1 2015. The largest growth in sales was observed in the tumble dryers, and built-in hobs segments – up by 12.7 percent and 9.1 percent respectively. Also, one of the two largest product groups in terms of value – washing machines – rose by 4.8 percent.
Small domestic appliances
In Q1 2016, there were increases reported in a number of segments, including vacuum cleaners (up by 2.9 percent) and hair dryers (up by 7.5 percent), compared to Q1 2015. The hot beverage makers and food preparation equipment segments declined by 7.7 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, compared to Q1 2015.
Consumer electronics
While the sector registered a decline in Q1 2016, the docking/mini speakers segment was the only one to grow – up by 6 percent, compared to Q1 2015. This was due to 20 percent growth in sales of Bluetooth speakers. Sales of Panel TVs declined, but ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs almost doubled in terms of value. Smart audio/multi-room speakers and soundbars continued to improve with growth of 16 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
Photography
Sales of digital cameras continued to decline in Q1 2016 – down by 22.2 percent, compared to Q1 2015. Also, sales of action cameras fell by 30 percent, compared to strong returns in Q1 2015.
Information technology
Compared to the same period in 2015, sales of mobile computing products increased by 22.7 percent in Q1 2016. This result was driven by 11-inch and 15-inch computers. Sales of desktop computing products increased by 3.7 percent, and monitors by 7.5 percent – both compared to the same period in 2015.
Telecommunications
A fall in sales of smartphones – down by 6.9 percent, compared to Q1 2015 – affected the sector and contributed to the overall fall of 6.6 percent. On a positive note, wearables increased by 25.7 percent, mainly due to sales of smartwatches. In addition, sales of headsets went up by 16.3 percent.
Office equipment and consumables
The OE sector reported consistent growth in Q1 2016, compared to the same quarter last year, rising by 5.6 percent. Printers improved by 18.4 percent and was the outstanding performer in the sector. Both laser and inkjet cartridges increased over Q1 2015’s returns, rising by 4.3 percent and 7.9 percent respectively.
