According to GfK Temax, in the fourth quarter of 2016 the technical consumer goods market in Japan declined by 1.7 percent, compared to Q4 2015. Considering the full year 2016, the decrease was equal to -1.3 percent compared to 2015.
JAPAN: TECHNICAL CONSUMER GOODS
(SALES VALUE – TREND)
[table id=79 /]
Major Domestic Appliances
The sales of washers slightly increased due to the continued growth of large capacity models, especially 10 kg and more. On the other hand, sales of refrigerators still struggled and decreased by 3.2%.
Small Domestic Appliances
The sales of air treatment products, mini ovens, kettles and garment steamers recorded double digit increase, which contributed to the overall positive development in the SDA sector. However, sales of hot beverage makers recorded double digit decrease since the growth of capsule espresso machines and coffee makers that use soluble coffee lost momentum. Besides, sluggish sales of cylinder vacuums and handheld cleaners brought total vacuum sales down.
Consumer Electronics
The panel TVs segment grew in Q4 2016, driven by sales of 4K TVs, and sales of headsets also increased in comparison to last year’s fourth quarter. Besides, sales in the video players/recorders and headphones segments declined.
Information Technology
The mobile computing segment, which showed a negative trend in Q3, turned to increase slightly this quarter. Monitors segment kept a steady positive growth compared to same period last year. Besides, sales of graphic boards showed a positive growth because of the increase of the average selling price. In the other hand, sales of media tablets decreased due to the decline of Wi-Fi models and the HDD segment fell due to the drop in the sale of 1TB models.
Photography
In the fourth quarter of 2016, the photography sector continued its negative sales trend. The decrease was equal to -14.5% compared to Q4 2015 and the decline in the full year 2016 was -22.8% compared to 2015.
Telecommunications
The telecommunications sector registered a strong growth in the core wearables segment, fueled by the new released models. Overall, the sector was stationary, against the background of a saturated smart-/mobile-phones market.
Office Equipment & Consumables
The printing devices segment slightly increased because the average selling price increased compared to fourth quarter last year. Besides, the sales of office paper declined because the demand of printing decreased. Both inkjet cartridges and laser cartridges showed a single-digit decrease.
JAPAN: TECHNICAL CONSUMER GOODS
(SALES VALUE)
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