E-Business
Tablets Popularity Hurting PC Sales across MEA, Turkey
Middle East and Africa region’s PC market experienced another quarter of steep decline in Q2 2013 as the proliferation of mobile technology continues unabated, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.
According to preliminary results released recently by International Data Corporation (IDC), shipments of PCs into the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey slowed 18.3% year on year during the second quarter of 2013 to total 4.4 million units.
Desktops were the hardest hit, with shipments down 20.0% year on year to 1.8 million units, while notebook shipments declined 17.1% over the same period to total 2.6 million units.
“A growing portion of end users, primarily from the consumer segment, are shifting their spending from PCs to tablets and smartphones,” said Fouad Rafiq Charakla, a research manager for personal computing, systems, and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
“This was accompanied by ongoing instability in several parts of the Middle East and Africa region, which resulted in PC spending by both the commercial and consumer segments plummeting at an even faster rate.”
“Intel and Microsoft have made keen efforts to revive the position of PCs against tablets, particularly in light of the latter adapting its operating system to a touch-screen interface,” continues Charakla.
“However, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS still outperform Microsoft’s Windows 8 when it comes to the number of applications the respective operating systems offer, which has a direct negative impact on the user experience. At the same time, the growing availability of aggressively priced tablet models, including those offered by multinational vendors, is continuing to encourage growing numbers of end users to switch to this increasingly popular form factor.”
Despite declining price points on the numerous ultra-slim notebook models available in the market, this product category failed to catapult its own popularity at the planned pace. Indeed, a large portion of end users still prefer to buy portable PCs with optical drives, which most ultra-slim notebook models fail to offer.
All key markets in the region experienced double-digit declines year on year. Turkey suffered a significant drop in PC shipments owing to the ongoing protests and social unrest in the country, while poor economic growth and high inflation caused a dramatic fall in PC shipments into South Africa.
A change in the labor law by the government of Saudi Arabia forced a large number of expatriates to leave the country, causing its PC market to suffer tremendously.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, a sharp decline in PC sales through the retail channel combined with instability in a number of key re-export destinations to drive a considerable decline in shipments into the country.
“Ongoing political instability in neighboring Syria continues to negatively impact the PC markets of Jordan and Lebanon,” said Victoria Mendes, a research analyst for personal computing, systems, and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
“And the impact of this instability is being exacerbated by the cannibalization of these PC markets by tablet devices. The home segment suffered the most as consumer sentiment remains very low in these countries, while the absence of large commercial and public sector deals further contributed to the decline of the overall PC market across the Levant region.”
HP continued to lead the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey PC market during the second quarter of 2013, despite suffering a decline of 19.5% year on year.
Similarly, Dell posted a 17.5% year-on-year drop in shipments into the region, but was able to hold on to second place in the vendor rankings. Dell also managed to secure a large PC delivery into the Saudi education sector during the quarter.
As was the case in previous quarters, Lenovo experienced the fastest growth in the region among the leading vendors, with its shipments increasing 17.1% year on year to maintain its position at number three. Samsung climbed to fourth place after posting year-on-year shipment growth of 7.9%, while a drastic 42.1% decline for Acer resulted in the vendor slipping down to fifth.
By Fabian Tarpael, Abuja
Hisense electronics unveiled a flagship showroom in Abuja over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mustapha Khries, the Abuja Branch Manager of the Fouani Group, highlighted the significance of the flagship store, describing it as the first of its kind in the entire West African region.
He also addressed the challenges facing businesses in Nigeria, particularly the high exchange rates and transportation costs.
“The Fouani Group remains resilient and ready to overcome challenges, unlike others who often exit the market when faced with similar issues.”
Ms. Haifa Du, Senior Sales Manager for Hisense Electronics, emphasized the brand’s commitment to affordability and innovation, stating that Hisense offers the most cost-effective and advanced solutions in the market.
The event underscored Hisense’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainability while reaffirming its leadership position in the consumer electronics market.
Mr. Robbin Wei, Senior Sales Manager of Hisense Group, supported by Mr. Greg and Ms. Haifa Du, showcased various innovative products from the new flagship store.
Among the standout products showcased include; The Hisense 110″ Smart Ultra AMOLED TV, featuring unique capabilities such as a solar-powered remote control and a “locate remote” function to find misplaced remotes easily.
PalmPay, Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet, and Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, today announce a strategic partnership to enhance the digital payment ecosystem on the continent, starting with payment integrations and co-marketing efforts in Nigeria.
This partnership underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and grow the use of the cashless economy.
WIth PalmPay now available as a payment method, shoppers on Jumia will now be able to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.
“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”
Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria added: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.
“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”
This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.
To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11th to 30th. During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards. More details can be found on the brands’ respective social media pages. @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria.
Aero Contractors is thrilled to announce the launch of its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, a festive and engaging social media initiative designed to spread holiday cheer and reward loyal customers.
Running from December 13 to December 24, 2024, this exciting campaign underscores Aero Contractors’ commitment to connecting families, friends, and communities during the holidays.
The “12 Days of Christmas” campaign invites travel enthusiasts, loyal customers, and holiday travelers to participate in fun and interactive activities on Aero Contractors’ social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Each day will feature engaging posts such as trivia, puzzles, and challenges designed to ignite the festive spirit and encourage community participation.
Participants are encouraged to follow Aero Contractors’ social media pages, engage with the daily posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, and follow the specific instructions for each day’s activity.
Winners will be selected daily and announced on the respective platforms. Exciting prizes await participants, with the grand reward of a free return economy class ticket—a perfect gift for reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new destinations this holiday season.
“At Aero Contractors, we believe in the power of togetherness, especially during the holidays,” said Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors.
“Our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to engage, celebrate, and reward our customers while spreading joy and festive cheer.”
This campaign targets travel enthusiasts, loyal Aero Contractors customers, and families looking to make the most of the holiday season. Through this initiative, Aero Contractors reaffirms its dedication to safe, reliable, and efficient air travel, bringing people closer when it matters most.
Follow Aero Contractors on Instagram, Facebook, and X to join the “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. Engage daily for a chance to win a free return economy class ticket and other exciting offers.
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