InfoTrends’ new forecast report entitled, “U.S. Photo Kiosk and Digital Minilab Forecast:  2007-2012,” projects that unit sales of kiosks and digital minilabs will continue to rise through 2012. To combat long lines, many retailers are adding additional kiosk units, mostly consisting of less expensive input terminals. It is not uncommon for a retail store to have three or more input terminals connected to a behind-the-counter printing system or a shared bank of thermal printers. The percentage of photo kiosk shipments consisting of input terminals is projected to increase significantly through 2012.

U.S. shipments of digital minilab equipment are also projected to experience growth in the next few years. Dry (chemical-free) minilabs will make up a rapidly growing portion of these shipments. According to Alan Bullock, Associate Director at InfoTrends, “While silver halide printing is not expected to go away completely, it will be used mainly in extremely high volume locations; however, if dry lab manufacturers are successful in producing a high-volume system (2,000 prints/hour or more) with consumable costs equal to or less than silver halide, dry labs will supplant silver halide labs in nearly all locations just as soon as the older equipment is fully amortized or reaches its mechanical end of life.”

InfoTrends’ report “U.S. Photo Kiosk and Digital Minilab Forecast: 2007-2012” provides analysis of the U.S. photo kiosk and digital minilab markets, including key market drivers, barriers, and ongoing market issues. Forecast and historical information is provided in terms of unit shipments, installed base, average selling price, and total revenue. In addition, the report includes a section of equipment vendor profiles.

The complete research report is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends’ Photo Printing Trends Consulting Service. For more information about the report or to make a purchase, visit our  online store or contact Michelle Boczanowski at +1 781 616 2100 ext. 109 or michelle_boczanowski@infotrends.com. 

InfoTrends, a Questex company, is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com.

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