The European market for IT products recorded positive development in the first six months of this year, with sales up by 4%, according to research group GfK. The two trends of mobility and home networking are boosting consumer demand and there is a growing focus in the market on new, innovative product segments.
Mobile computers and mobile availability of internet and entertainment are significant growth drivers for the IT markets in Germany and across Europe. In addition, new products such as e-readers, mobile internet devices, tablet PCs, slates and user-friendly electronic dictionaries are also benefiting from the trend towards mobility. In the wake of this, accessories such as mobile computer mice and speakers, design-oriented keyboards and large-format monitors are also gaining in importance.
The demand for products that can be categorized under the term "home networking” is also rising. In the first half of 2010, categories such as printers with a network connection, wireless router upgrades for faster data transfer, devices for p-LAN networking, hard disks incorporated into the network and NAS systems contributed to growth in both sales revenue and unit sales.