Although the computers and tablets market in the UK is expected to experience substantial growth over the next few years, the tablets and e-readers market is expected to decline by 2022. This will be driven by mobile phones growing in size and 2-in-1 hybrids combining computers and tablets cannibalising trade from both markets, according to GlobalData, a recognized leader in providing business information and analytics.

The company’s latest report states that the overall UK computers and tablets market is set to increase by 10.3% between 2017 and 2022. The tablets and e-readers market, however, will decline by 7.7% over the same period.

Zoë Mills, Retail Analyst for GlobalData, explains: “Despite innovation from the likes of Samsung that has seen OLED screens implemented on tablets, this will not halt the decline of the market. Consumers will continue to lengthen replacement cycles as innovation fails to encourage shoppers to upgrade devices ahead of current devices breaking.

“E-reader sales will decline at a greater extent than those of tablets, as the popularity of physical books continues to witness a resurgence. Innovation in the market has all but stopped as e-reader capabilities have reached full potential. While these devices can be a handy addition to avid and infrequent readers alike, high durability and only a few key manufacturers in the market means that demand for these products has become saturated.”

Unlike the struggling tablet and e-readers segment, the fitness bands and smartwatches segment will be an important area of growth for retailers. Although it only makes up 7.7% of the overall computers and tablets market in 2017, it will see estimated growth of 64.4% by 2022.

Mills continues: “Growth in this segment will be driven by the continuing fitness trend that will see fitness bands exceed growth in the smartwatches markets, which is dominated by the Apple Watch. Lower price points and continuing innovation in the space ensure that the purchase of these products is more impulse-driven than the likes of laptops and desktops, whose high price points need more consideration before purchase.”

– Information based on GlobalData’s report: Computers & Tablets – An Analysis Of The UK Market, 2017-22.