IDC forecasts that US PC sales will drop in 2001 for the first time ever after revising their growth forecasts for 2001 from 2.2% to -6.3% year on year. Worldwide forecasts have also declined from 10.3% to 5.8% for the same period.
The currently poor economic climate is blamed for the cuts and IDC now forecasts that that US consumer sales are set to drop by 17.3%. Many US manufacturers are currently suffering due to the unfavourable economic climate, notably in the car, steel and computer industries.
Growth outside the US is also set to decline this year, previously forecast at 15.1%, growth outside the US is now predicted to be around 12.9% for 2001 with worldwide growth forecast at 5.8%. However, growth outside the US in 2002 is expected to rise by 16% taking worldwide estimates to 12.2%.
US & Worldwide Unit PC Shipments And Growth Forecasts:
| |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
| United States |
45.1 |
48.4 |
45.3 |
47.4 |
54.1 |
58.2 |
60.8 |
| U. S. Growth |
ÂÂ |
7.30% |
-6.30% |
4.60% |
14.20% |
7.50% |
4.50% |
| Worldwide |
113.6 |
131.3 |
138.9 |
155.9 |
178.1 |
197.2 |
215.5 |
| Worldwide Growth |
ÂÂ |
15.60% |
5.80% |
12.20% |
14.30% |
10.70% |
9.30% |
(unit shipments are in millions)
Source: IDC, June 2001.
