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(Weymouth, MA) June, 17 2003... Retail photofinishers are becoming better equipped to service digital camera users, according to a new forecast by InfoTrends Research Group. InfoTrends predicts that digital minilab sales will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% through 2007. About 30% of all minilab installations in North America are already digital. Photo kiosk sales are expected to demonstrate a CAGR of 16% over the forecast period from 2002 to 2007. InfoTrends' forecast shows that “input terminal” kiosks are beginning to proliferate as a front-end to digital minilabs, and “print station” kiosks are a critical bridge to the digital world where digital minilabs do not yet exist. "The photo kiosk and digital minilab markets continue to be strong as major retail chains gear up for the influx of digital camera users over the next few years,” stated Kerry Flatley, a Senior Research Analyst at InfoTrends Research Group. “Kiosk sales have been unexpectedly spurred by the weak economic climate, as some struggling retailers opt for inexpensive kiosks over minilabs in the short term.” "Digital minilab sales continue to be strong as the market undergoes a massive conversion from analog labs,” Flatley continued. “Major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Ritz are working to equip their retailers with the latest digital technology. At the other end of the market, however, some independent retailers have decided to exit due to converging factors such as the weak economy and competition from mass merchants. ” Vendors are jockeying for share in the kiosk market. Kodak remains a leader, although Fujifilm is gaining share as retailers who purchased Frontier minilabs are also purchasing Aladdin and PrintPix kiosks. Sony is making waves as it enters new markets with its PictureStation solution. Fujifilm leads in unit shipments within the digital minilab market, but competition from Noritsu and Kodak is expected to heat up in 2003. Other vendors covered in the forecast include Pixel Magic, Agfa, Olympus, Konica, Lucidiom, Mitsubishi, Digital Portal, Polaroid, Oblo, Whitech Software, and ePoint. The new 60-page report entitled 2003 Photo Kiosk and Retail Digital Photofinishing Forecast contains forecasts for the photo kiosk and digital minilab markets by subsegment. It also provides information on market share as well as in-depth profiles of the industry's major players and retailers such as Wal-Mart, Ritz Camera, and Walgreens. Worldwide estimates are included as well. The report also details current photofinishing trends such as printing from camera phones, inkjet printing digital minilabs, and home-to-retail connectivity. |
