Smartphones were one of the main growth drivers, increasing 31.3 percent to over 8 million units and generating almost EUR 2.9 billion in revenues. Sales of traditional mobile phones fell by 31.2 percent to 3.6 million, with revenues down 46.5 percent to EUR 228 million.
Set-top boxes were also in demand due to the transition to digital broadcasting. The number of units sold jumped 91 percent to 4.5 million, and revenues from STBs increased 51.8 percent to EUR 382 million. Sporting events also drove TV sales higher, up 14 percent to almost 5 million units sold. Revenues from TV sales increased 13.8 percent compared to a year ago to EUR 3.1 billion. About 55 percent of TVs sold could connect to the internet, and 34 percent were able to show 3D video.
In the IT market sales were weak across the board, except for tablets, which grew to 1.1 million units and revenues of EUR 524 million in sales.
Following the strong first half, the market researchers expect sales over the full year to increase more than 4 percent, to almost EUR 29 billion. The index is a joint project of industry groups BVT and GFU, with GfK Retail and Technology.
