The overall market for Q4 was driven by the laser segment, which grew by 4.6% QoQ and 12.9% YoY following a surge in public sector tenders for the A3 laser copier segment. The inkjet segment sees a 3.1% QoQ decline following the prior two quarters of growth, largely due to a recovery in the ink tank segment that made up for declines in the ink cartridge segment. This follows severe stock constraints for ink tank models throughout the first three-quarters of 2022, whereas the ink cartridge segment continues to see significant contraction from last quarter as the market sees supply-side imbalance as household inkjet demand due to large procurements in 2020-2021 and the remote learning trend saw a rapid reversal as schools reopened for physical learning.

“Stable office demand for hardcopy peripherals even as the year comes to a close and strong public sector demand ahead of the Malaysian General Elections has been integral to supporting the market, however the outlook for the first half of 2023 is pessimistic as business activity will see a slowdown during the festive period and the tabling of a revised national budget for 2023 will pause public sector tender processes,” said Eugene Lim, Market Analyst at IDC Malaysia.

Top 3 Home/Office Printer Brands Highlights:

Canon maintains its position as the market leader in the overall home/office printer market for Q4 holding a 35.5% share this quarter. The brand sees a YoY decline of 38.2% and 8.4% QoQ as its inkjet segment sees a sharp decline in shipments. The brand has been able to achieve a strong performance in its copier segment over the past two quarters through participation in government tenders.

HP remains the second market leader with a market share of 28.0%, experiencing a YoY growth of 1.3% however it faces a QoQ decline of 5.5% this quarter, as the brand similarly reduces inkjet shipments following a weak consumer market as the year-end approaches and consumer spending is focused on other aspects such as leisure.

Epson remains the third position market leader and has narrowed the lead between the second market leader position, with its 26.0% market share for Q4. The brand experiences a strong 64.7% YoY and a 24.4% QoQ growth following a similarly high performance from the previous quarter of Q3 supported by a surge in volume for their ink tank model line from strong corporate demand for ink tank models that have been present since Q2.

“Epson’s recovery in their ink tank model shipments have been the primary driver for the inkjet segment over the past two quarters, however as the segment is reaching over-saturation and demand for the coming quarter of Q1, 2023 sees slowdown, the inkjet market will trend downwards for the foreseeable future,” added Eugene.

（Quote from RT）