Japan PC 2006: Sales Channel Trends

This IDC study, which is a translation of the Japanese report, analyzes the trends sales channels in the Japan client PC market in 2Q06, clarifying the current situation in the market and presents market forecasts. The product types covered in this study are desktop, portable, and ultraportable PCs. In this study, the annual data pertaining to the years up to 2005 are based on actual values while those pertaining to 2006 and beyond are forecast values. Similarly for quarterly data, those up to 2Q06 (April/June) are actual values while those for 3Q06 and beyond are forecast values. All values have been updated as of September 2006.

IDC Japan's Personal Computing research manager, Masahiro Katayama, says, "The Internet direct and direct outbound channels show stable growth rates regardless of the changes in the overall market trends." He also says, "The role and functions of the Internet direct channel are widely acknowledged and effectively used among end users, dealers, and distributors. It is important to establish a corporate structure that can secure profit even when the market is stagnant by carrying out strategic sales channel policies with a focus on their functions."