Analysts Yankee Group are predicting that global e-reader sales revenue will grow from just $1.9 billion in 2010 to $8.2 billion in 2014, while unit sales will rise from just under 11 million in 2010 to nearly 72 million in 2014.
The forecast also predicts:
- Worldwide installed base of e-readers will double each year. The installed base will grow at a CAGR of over 100%, from 12 million in 2010 to 127 million in 2014.
- Europeans will snap up e-readers. The installed base of e-readers in Europe will grow at a CAGR of 143% from 2010 to 2014. The installed base of smartphones will grow at only 19% over the same period.
- The average price tag for e-readers will fall. By 2014, the average retail price for an e-reader device will be $114, down from an average of $182 in 2010.
- E-reader sales will generate more revenue in Asia-Pacific than in North America by 2014. In 2010, North America accounted for 57% of all e-reader sales revenue, while Asia-Pacific garnered only 34%. By 2014, Asia-Pacific will account for 49% of all e-reader sales revenue, while North America will account for only 39%.
“Falling prices, growing content libraries and color e-paper displays will persuade consumers around the world to snap up e-readers like Amazon’s Kindle,” said Dmitriy Molchanov, analyst at Yankee Group and author of the forecast. “Consumers in China and India will be responsible for a growing proportion of worldwide sales as Asia-Pacific’s middle class continues to grow.”
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