UK PC market grew 21.4% in Q2 2004

The U.K. PC market is enjoying something of a boom at the moment, spurred on by a positive economy, burgeoning consumer expenditure, and a discernable return in business confidence. This has not by any means always been the case, however. In the wake of geo-political uncertainty and the global economic downturn, PC shipments in the U.K. declined 2.2% in 2001 and only managed to recover 1.3% a year later. 2003, however, saw a reversal in fortunes with sales soaring by 13.8%.

The market continued to go from strength to strength in Q204, recording double-digit year-on-year growth for the fifth quarter running. Shipment levels exceeding 1.87 million units fueled growth of 21.4% and signaled a further acceleration in the long-awaited corporate spending rebound. Combined with another quarter of strong consumer demand, growth in Q2 2004 was at its highest level for almost four years. While SMB and consumer demand continued to fuel strong notebook growth of 24.3% year on year, it was the desktop market that was the real success story in Q2. 19.6% year-on-year growth