PMA Data Watch: Tough December when it comes to digital camera sales

In fact, the year as a whole was not favorable for digital camera manufacturers and retailers.

Digital camera unit sales were down 7 percent in December 2008 compared to the same month last year, reports the latest PMA Monthly Printing and Camera Trends Report. November was even worse as unit sales were down 16 percent compared to the previous year. In December 2007, digital camera sales were down 3 percent compared to the prior year. Looking back at December 2006, digital camera sales were up 20 percent compared to the previous year. For the entire year during 2008, digital camera unit sales were down 2 percent. In 2007, sales grew at a rate of 10 percent in unit terms. Revenue from sales of digital cameras was down 16 percent, whereas in 2007, revenue was still up a fraction of a percent. Looking back at December 2006, revenue from digital camera sales was up 7 percent compared to the year prior. Falling revenue is the result of competitive pricing and slow sales in the weak economy.