European Imaging market sees resurgence in sales & revenue

The European Imaging market is experiencing a resurgence in both unit shipments and revenue, as reported by the market intelligence firm CONTEXT.

The latest analysis of performance through IT distribution highlights a positive trend, particularly in the Inkjet and Laser multifunction printer (MFP) segments. "While overall performance remains slightly below the index line, the most recent numbers offer a much-needed boost of optimism," said Rémi Gaudin, Business Data and Market Analyst at CONTEXT. "In the last four-week period, Inkjet MFPs grew by 3.5% in revenues and 5.3% in units, while Laser MFPs saw a 4.7% increase in revenue and a 2.6% rise in unit sales. This is a strong indicator of good health across these two critical categories."

The report notes an end to a long-term downturn in the Inkjet segment. "It's been quarters of declines for Inkjet, so finally seeing some positive momentum is excellent news," Gaudin stated.

A comparison of early Q1 performance in 2025 with the same time frame in 2024 reveals an apparent recovery. This period in 2024 was marked by a slump, whereas Q1 2025 shows improvement with Inkjet MFPs up by 4% in units and Laser printers demonstrating a 9% unit increase, accompanied by revenue growth of 2.4%.

CONTEXT has observed a shift in the dynamics within the Inkjet market. The growth in 2024 was fuelled by rising average selling prices (ASPs) because of a move towards higher-end products, whereas the current uptick is supported by stronger unit volumes paired with slightly lower ASPs, suggesting widespread growth across the category.

On a regional scale, Spain and Italy have outperformed the European average by sitting just above the index line for 2025's week 12. Major markets including the UK, Germany, France, and Poland remain below the index line, but their performance has improved compared to the previous year.

Gaudin expressed cautious optimism for the remaining year, saying, "With ongoing recovery and early signs of stabilization in key segments, we are cautiously optimistic about the rest of 2025."

A detailed examination of country-level data shows varied performances; Germany, for instance, experienced a 3.0% increase in units but a 1.0% decline in revenue year-over-year. Meanwhile, Spain saw a 5.0% increase in units but a 1.0% decrease in revenue. Poland and the Netherlands exhibited substantial growth in both units and revenue, while other countries like Czechia, Switzerland, and Norway recorded declines.

These developments in the European Imaging market highlight a pivotal shift towards recovery, with specific segments and regions contributing to a gradually improving market landscape.