IHL expects EMEA EPOS shipments for 2007 to exceed $2.4 billion (USD), and the total "installed base value" -- including new system shipments, plus hardware and software maintenance -- to surpass $4.3 billion.
The largest boost in 2007 will come from replacement of aging systems installed in the late 1990s in the large format "food & drug" and "hypermarket" segments, according to IHL.
Another boost to shipments is expected to come from markets that historically are "less technically mature" in terms of EPOS. Last year, shipments to developing markets nearly equaled those going to Germany, historically the largest consumer of EPOS equipment in the region.
Security is becoming a major factor in POS purchase decisions, IHL notes. Retailers want POS systems that are "PCI" (Payment Card Industry) compliant, in order to avoid fraud and other security breaches such as those
experienced recently by TJ Maxx and other retailers in North America.
In addition to WEPOS and Windows XP Embedded's strong growth, IHL also noted that Linux-based EPOS shipments grew by 22 percent in 2006.
According to IHL Consulting Group president Greg Buzek, "Retailers continue to see the EPOS as more than just a method for accurately recording sales. Added functionality at the till, whether in the form of capabilities such as customer returns, inventory look-up, or workforce management, helps retailers see EPOS as THE central system in the store, and they are willing to invest in it accordingly."
IHL says its newly published report, "2007 Europe/Middle East/Africa Retail POS Terminal Study," covers shipments and installed base data for POS terminals sold into retailers in the EMEA region, including shipment and installed base figures, situation analysis for eight retail market segments, overall trends affecting the EPOS market, and forecasts through 2011. Further details and information on how to purchase the report are available on the research firm's
website.
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