According to the data published by GfK Temax, in the first quarter of 2016 the technical consumer goods market in Slovakia grew by 8.3 percent, compared to the same quarter in 2015. The overall value of the market was 227 million euro. The major domestic appliances, small domestic appliances and telecommunications sectors all performed well and increased by 4.9%, 10.8%, and 39.5% respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2015.
SLOVAKIA: TECHNICAL CONSUMER GOODS
SALES VALUE BY CATEGORY
Major domestic appliances
The MDA market registered good value growth in Q1 2016, rising by 4.9%, compared to Q1 2015. This trend is expected to continue for the rest of 2016. Tumble dryers performed well in Q1, as did washing machines, which rose by 3.8% to become the sector’s largest category. Average prices in the sector rose by around 3% in Q1, compared to the same period in 2015.
Small domestic appliances
In Q1 2016, there was a rise of 10.8% in the SDA market, compared to Q1 2015. All but one (juicers/presses) of the segments grew, with dental care products rising by 45.8%, compared to Q1 2015. Sales of liquidizers (in value terms) rose by 64%, as consumers preferred more expensive models. Hot beverage makers also did well, with fully automatic espresso machines driving the category.
Consumer electronics
In Q1 2016, the CE sector registered a fall of 6.5%, compared to Q1 2015. The Panel TVs segment – the sector’s largest category – reported a 7% increase in average prices (screens larger than 55 inches). Sales of ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs tripled their market share, compared to Q1 2015.
Photography
The sector declined by 13.1% in Q1 2016, compared to the same period last year, with all digital still cameras (DSC) – which accounted for half of the sector’s value – reporting falls. Across the sector, average prices increased by over 15% in Q1 2016.
Information technology
The IT sector remained stable in terms of value, when compared to Q1 2015, rising by just 0.2% in Q1 2016. Mobile computing products (with 4% growth) compensated for losses in the desktop computing products and mediatablets segments. Sales of monitors remained stable in value (up by 0.8%). The category was driven by monitors with screen sizes of 22 inches and above.
Telecommunications
The sector performed well in Q1 2016, compared to the same period last year, and rose by 39.5%. Sales of smartphones continued to increase. Models with screen sizes between 5 and 5.6 inches accounted for nearly 60% of the segment value. Dual-SIM phones also performed well in Q1 2016.
Office equipment and consumables
The OE sector declined by 6% in Q1 2016, compared to Q1 2015. Both product groups fell in terms of value, with printers down by 6.1%. However, sales of inkjet printers increased by 5%.
