GfK Retail and Technology UK Ltd Press Release Template ... - MEF

Press releaseIreland: media tablets continue to dominate thecomputing market3 April 2013Robyn ToveyInformation Technology+44 870 603 8163Robyn.Tovey @gfk.comLatest research from GfK reports that in December 2012, 264 percent moremedia tablets* were sold than notebooks and desktops combined. Lookingat Q4 2012, media tablets experienced a spike in sales accounting for 67percent of the total Irish computing market.A surge of sales was recorded in Q4 2012 due to the launch of several highprofile 7-inch devices, at relatively affordable price points. This resulted inmedia tablets being the key gifting product in the Irish computing market forChristmas 2012.As expected, media tablet sales in 2013 have slowed in comparison to thelast quarter of 2012. Nevertheless, tablets continue to outperform the restof the computing market, and are responsible for 57 percent of allcomputing products** sold thus far in 2013.Robyn Tovey, GfK Account Executive comments, “Since launching ourretail sales tracking service for media tablets in Ireland back in October lastyear, our research suggests that this trend will continue throughout 2013,as lower prices will continue to drive sales of these devices. However, themarket will become increasingly interesting as more hybrid devices (forexample, a notebook that has a detachable keyboard, making it a hybridbetween a notebook and a tablet) begin to hit retail shelves.”With a current average selling price for hybrid devices at €850, purchasinga tablet and keyboard separately currently remains a more economicaloption. If price points of hybrid devices were to drop, this form factor couldpose a threat to notebooks, given the superior mobility that they offer.Tovey continues, “The Irish computing market has experienced significantdevelopments as the latest form factors gain traction. The key to futuresuccess for such devices is likely to depend upon whether or not they canbe competitively priced”.-ENDS -GfK Retail and Technology UKLtdSheer HouseStation ApproachWest ByfleetKT14 6NLUKTel. +44 870 603 8100www.gfk.com/ukManagementIan McCannWe are everything IrelandWe now track, analyse and evaluate what customers are buying in the IrishIT market. Our report covers the Media Tablets, Mobile Computing, DeskComputing, Monitors and Storage product categories, looking in-depth intohow brands, price-points and key features are evolving. Analyse yourmarket share and identify key opportunities by utilizing our local Irish ITmarket knowledge. For more information or to work with us, please contact:uk@gfk.com1

*Media tablets - this GfK defined product group encompasses tablets thatrun under a mobile operating system**Computing products – notebooks, tablets, desktop computers and all-inonecomputers.About GfKGfK is one of the world’s largest research companies, with more than12,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live,think and shop, in over 100 markets, every day. GfK is constantlyinnovating and using the latest technologies and the smartestmethodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the mostimportant people in the world: their customers. In 2011, GfK’s salesamounted to EUR 1.37 billion.To find out more, visit www.gfk.com/uk or follow GfK on Twitter:https://twitter.com/GfK_en2