Overall Market (Large Format Professional, Commercial, and Plasma)

The Canadian Digital Signage Market (comprised of LFD, Commercial and Plasma displays) had an excellent Q3 2011.  During this quarter, total shipments were 16% higher than a year previously in Q3 2010.  The Digital Signage Market is building momentum.

The results should also be strong in the final quarter of the year.  The dynamics in the marketplace are excellent.  Prices continue to come down, while the products are getting better.  This year, a full range of LED products have appeared on the market.  This new technology delivers brighter pictures.  The devices are thinner and lighter.  They will last longer and consume less energy.  The time has never been better to deploy or expand a digital signage network.  

Exhibit 1: Total Large Format, Commercial and Plasma Digital Display Shipments by Quarter:  Q1 10– Q4 11*

*Q4 2011 forecasted

Samsung sold the greatest number of digital signage displays during Q3 2011.  This is a remarkable achievement given that Samsung does not participate in the Commercial Display market.  Samsung was able to finish in first place on the sheer strength of its LFD (Large Format Display) portfolio.

Exhibit 2:  Combined Large Format, Commercial and Plasma Display Market Leaders: Q3 2011

Large Format Professional Displays

Large Format Professional Displays are designed to remain on more than fourteen hours per day and come with a three year warranty.  In most cases, they do not have TV Tuners.  Large format displays are the logical choice for facilities, such as airports, which keep their units on all day.  Similarly, because they have very sharp images, they are appropriate for luxury hotels or retail outlets that want displays that will enhance the appearance of their public areas.

During Q3 2011, Samsung led the overall Large Format Display (LFD) market in Canada .  Samsung achieved this first place position by leading in 32”, 40”, 40”LED, 46”, 46” LED, 52”, and 55” segments.

LG finished in second place in the overall LFD market with a narrow lead over third place Sharp.  LG led in the 37” and 42” segments.  Sharp was the leader in the 32”LED, 52”, and 60” segments.

Exhibit 3: Large Format Professional Display Market
Leaders: Q3 2011

Commercial Displays

Commercial Displays are LCD products designed to remain on less than fourteen hours per day and come with a two year warranty.  In most cases, they have TV Tuners.  They are also less expensive that Large Format Displays, which has contributed greatly to their success in the market.

LG sold the most Commercial Displays in the Canadian market during Q3 2011.  Sharp finished in second place followed by NEC in third.  Panasonic, which has now established a consistent volume, finished in fourth place.

Exhibit 4: Commercial Display Market Leaders: Q2 2011

Lodging Television Sets

The Canadian Hotel TV market is in splendid form.  Shipments during Q3 2011 were 22% higher than in Q3 2010.  In Q2 2011, the year-over-year increase had been 58%.  Thus, the market has had two consecutive quarters of excellent growth.  After stalling for several years, the hoteliers are now rushing to replace their old CRT units with LCD TVs. 

Exhibit 5: Lodging Television Set Market Leaders: Q2 2011