PMA Data Watch: Percent of households purchasing photo-quality printers up slightly
According to the 2009 PMA U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, 10.1 percent of U.S. households purchased photo-quality printers in 2008. This reflects an increase from the 9.5 percent of households purchasing them in 2007, but a decline from 12.2 percent in 2006. High income households, those with children present and those with high speed internet access were most likely to purchase photo-quality printers. Households with high resolution digital cameras were nearly twice as likely to purchase a printer, according to PMA Marketing Research.
The largest percentage of photo-quality printers were purchased at electronics/video stores, followed by office supply stores and discount stores in 2008. Few printers were purchased at computer stores. The vast majority of printers purchased were priced between $50 and $200, however, more $50 or under printers were sold in 2008 when compared to previous years.
About 10 percent of photo-quality printers came with the camera purchase, whereas only 9.4 percent of printers came with the camera purchase in 2007. In 2005 and 2006, however, even more printers came with the camera purchase. More than one-third of printers that came with the camera purchase have a maximum print size of 4-by-6 inch. Large format printers were more likely to come with the camera purchase in 2008 than in the few years prior.
The 2009 PMA Photo Book Report
The PMA Photo Book Report reveals results from the second annual DIMA Photo Book Showcase
JACKSON, Mich. – PMA – The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations announces the availability of The 2009PMA Photo Book Report, providing businesses with an overview of the consumer photo book market. The report is designed to aid firms in business planning and product development. Details of the report include:
• The photo book market is expected to reach $340 million in 2009 compared to $326 million in 2008
• Marketing research section related to the photo book industry including types of books, purpose for making them and methods
used to produce them.
• Ins and outs on binding a quality hardcover photo book including why retailers should consider these items, what goes into a
hardcover book, and what retailers should look for in a high-quality product, explained by three experts in the publishing business.
The 2009 PMA Photo Book Report also displays the results of the second annual DIMA Photo Book Showcase, held at the PMA 09 International Convention and Trade Show March 3-5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nev. This event is designed to allow attendees to compare various aspects of photo book production including user interface, templates and binding options, and overall quality. The four categories that were evaluated include Software, Covers & Paper, Binding, and Finished Books.
Available from the marketing research area of the PMA website (www.pmai.org), the report is free to members. Non-members of PMA may buy the report for $99. Media members can contact PMA for a copy of the report.
About PMA – The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations As a professional trade association, PMA® helps the worldwide photo imaging community achieve business success and adapt to new technologies. Its commitment to its members in 100-plus countries is part of an 84-year legacy that connects business owners to a network of knowledge and support. PMA furthers this purpose through the development of educational programs and business services, marketing research, publications, and trade shows. As a nonprofit organization, any success enjoyed by PMA in its endeavors directly benefits the industry, allowing PMA to provide continual services and activities for members.
2009 PMA U.S. Custom Framing Report
The 2009 PMA U.S. Custom Framing Report reveals challenge in the custom framing market
JACKSON, Mich. – PMA – The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations announces the availability of The 2009 PMA U.S. Custom Framing Report. The 2009 PMA U.S. Custom Framing Report provides businesses with an overview of the custom framing market. The report is designed to aid firms in business planning. The report measures the spending of U.S families and consumers on custom framing services. Locations where custom frames were made, uses for custom frames and previous purchasing patterns were also discussed in the report.
In January 2009, Synovate of Chicago, distributed the questionnaire, by mail, on a representative sample of 15,000 households. The questions were prepared by PMA Marketing Research. Consumers were questioned on the 12-month period through January 2009. Details of the report include:
• About 5.3 million households purchased custom frames in 2008
• Craft stores held 45 percent of the channel share for custom-framing spending
• The average cost per frame made was reported to be $188 in 2008
Available from the marketing research area of the PMA website (www.pmai.org), the report is free to members. Non-members of PMA may buy the report for $99. Media members can contact PMA for a copy of the report.
About PMA – The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations As a professional trade association, PMA® helps the worldwide photo imaging community achieve business success and adapt to new technologies. Its commitment to its members in 100-plus countries is part of an 84-year legacy that connects business owners to a network of knowledge and support. PMA furthers this purpose through the development of educational programs and business services, marketing research, publications, and trade shows. As a nonprofit organization, any success enjoyed by PMA in its endeavors directly benefits the industry, allowing PMA to provide continual services and activities for members.
PMA Data Watch: Growth in the photo book market below potential
According to the newly released 2009 PMA Photo Book Report, photo book demand continues to grow. Spending in 2009, however, is only expected to grow about 4 percent compared to 22 percent in 2008. This indicates below potential growth in performance in the photo book market.
Many photo books are still being printed on home computer printers according to PMA U.S. Camera/Camcorder and Digital Imaging Studies. While some consumers in the survey may have misinterpreted the question and confused “photo books” with “scrapbooks”, it is certain that many are still attempting to make photo books at home. Consumers may be creating books using software or formats that are not compatible with the interfaces used by online firms, retailers and kiosks.
There may also be lack of awareness in the photo book market. Consumers may also be creating projects with more text and fewer pictures, differing from the industry’s definition of a photo book. Or perhaps the options they want do exist, but have not been made available in the local retail channels.
People do not always finish the books they start indicating another possible upside in the market. In 2008, about one-half of photo-book consumers did not finish at least one book they started. There are various reasons for not finishing a book, however, the majority plan to finish at a later time. Better user interfaces may be the catalyst for simplifying and speeding up the process, resulting in more finished books. Businesses should accept more file types instead of forcing consumers into a certain book type or software.
For member download or non member purchase of the full 2009 PMA Photo Book Report please visit the Marketing Research website.
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PMA Data Watch: High resolution camera phone owners take more pictures
According to the 2009 PMA U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, more than half of camera phone owners own models with a resolution of 2 megapixels or more. More than 20 percent own 3 megapixel or higher camera phones. Only 14 percent own camera phones with resolutions less than 1 megapixel. Owners of high-resolution camera phones are more active in picture taking and printing than those with lower resolution models.
There is a positive correlation between the resolution in megapixels of the camera phone and the number of pictures taken in 2008. Excluding outliers, those using 3-megapixel or more camera phones took 38 pictures in 2008 and this number falls to 31 pictures for those with 2-megapixel models, on average. Owners of 1-megapixel camera phones took an average of 25 pictures while those owning models with less than 1 megapixel took only 18 pictures.
Not surprisingly, those with higher resolution camera phones also printed more pictures than lower resolution owners. On average, owners of camera phones with 3 or more megapixels of resolution printed 28 pictures in 2008. This falls to 18 pictures for those owning 2-megapixel or 1-megapixel models. Owners of camera phones with less than 1 megapixel of resolution only printed 8 photos in 2008.
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PMA Data Watch: Large memory cards most popular
According to the 2009 PMA U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey, nearly half of all memory cards purchased in 2008 were 2GB or larger. The 1GB category lost share to make room for larger cards. Only 18 percent of memory cards purchased were 256MB or less, compared to 43 percent in 2007.
Smaller memory cards, 256MB or less, are most likely to be purchased at camera stores or at discount stores and office supply stores. Larger cards, such as the 4GB and 8GB models, are most likely to be purchased over the internet or at electronic/video stores.
Sixty percent of units owned by U.S. households in 2008 are SD or MultiMediaCard, up steadily each year since 2003. Mini/Micro SD and xD-Picture Cards also gained share whereas the memory stick, CompactFlash Type I and II, and SmartMedia lost share in the mix. The average U.S. household owns 1.2 memory cards. Those owning Mini/Micro SD, Memory Sticks and Compact Flash Type I and II own more units on average than those owning other types of memory devices.
On average, memory cards are most expensive when purchased from a camera store or a one-hour photo lab and they are least expensive when purchased from a computer store or office supply store. The 1GB and 2GB cards run lower in price than the smaller memory cards as well as price per MB declines as the cards get larger.
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