HP Reports Strong Start to Year in Consumer Space

AUCKLAND, 18 March, 2002 – Strong sales in the consumer PC and peripheral market have given Hewlett-Packard New Zealand’s Consumer Business Division a positive start to 2002.

Sales for the first two months of this year have tracked 27% ahead of the previous January/February 2001 period, despite forecasted international market pressures.

Michael Carden, General Manager HP (NZ) Consumer Business, says it has been an extremely encouraging beginning to the year, given the worldwide economic environment.

“January and February are traditionally quiet months for the retail market, particularly in the IT sector. In addition, a number of commentators were last year forecasting a depressed international market which may impact on this economy.

“However, it appears that not only has New Zealand weathered the storm but so has the IT sector,” Carden says.

Carden believes the strong sales are based on a number of factors. “We’re seeing more second time purchasers of PCs. Many people bought their first PC and printer around five years ago. There have been many technological developments since then, such as built-in CD writers, improvements in colour printing and widespread use of scanners. As a result consumers are now upgrading to get the latest and greatest equipment.”

Many consumers are also buying not just for the family but for home based or small businesses.

“The product and technical advances and the positive feeling in the New Zealand economy seem to have happily coincided,” Carden says.

Growth has been even across all sectors.

HP’s Consumer Business markets PCs (Pavilion), printers (Deskjet), scanners (Scanjet), All in Ones, Jornada Pocket PCs and a wide range of printer and computing supplies.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue of $45.2 billion in its 2001 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

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