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Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ – Analyst Report) recently announced additions to its retail solutions portfolio, which includes six new digital signage displays (DSDs) and a new set of value-priced displays. The company also upgraded its mobile and fixed point of sale (POS) solutions.
Equipped with larger touch and non-touch displays, the new H-P DSDs will enhance customer experience and boost the company’s results in the long term. The new offering will add variety to its existing product portfolio, which in turn will help H-P to attract more customers. The DSDs are budget-friendly, flexible and help to manage and control business applications securely.
The company’s latest offerings include HP LD4245tm, the HP LD4235, HP B321 and a 42-inch diagonal HP B421 that features a high-definition (HD) screen for an enhanced web experience and high-quality visuals.
In today’s technology-driven world, smartphones and online shopping hold strong potential for growth. According to a recent survey by Gartner, the PC industry is going through difficult times as annual sales declined 6.9% on a year-over year basis to 85.6 million units in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decline in global PC shipments is largely due to a shift in consumer preference toward tablets and mobile devices in emerging markets.
According to IDC, PC shipments contracted 5.6% on a year-over year basis to 82.2 million units in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decline was narrower than the research firm’s forecast of a 6.0% drop in 2013, aided by growth in the commercial market. Moreover, for full year 2013, PC shipments declined 10.0% on a year-over-year basis, primarily due to the continued shift in consumer preferences toward mobile devices.
Hence, we believe that the deployment of these products will boost H-P’s retail solutions portfolio and act as a tailwind for the company’s near-term financial performance.
