IHL: Mobile POS shipments in North America to double

Franklin, Tenn. – The growth of new mobile device shipments is expected to grow 95% worldwide and more than double (108%) in North America during 2014. According to IHL Group's Mobile POS Vendor Database, 47% of total mobile POS shipments in 2013 Worldwide were iOS devices, with Android at 33% and Windows 8 at 12%.



IHL analysis shows the differences are in growth rates. iOS is expected to grow slower than the overall market for 2014 (due to tough comparisons) while Android (+104.6%) and Windows 8 (128.4%) are expected to grow at a much higher rate worldwide. Further, in North America, Windows 8 devices are projected to grow 183.9%.



Some other key highlights include the following:



• Apple has a dominant share in mobile POS today at 39.9% installed worldwide, but Motorola Solutions, Hewlett Packard, and Micros are showing the greatest shipment growth potential in 2014, in some cases tripling the growth rate. Nowhere is this greater than North America.



• 64% of current mobile POS devices are in a form factor of less than five inches in screen (phones). The move in 2014 is much more to the phablet and tablet size. In North America, 64.6% of all new mobile POS will be on phablet or larger screens in 2014.



• Both consumer grade and rugged devices are seeing strong growth worldwide, but price and device lifetime expectations vary widely by retail segments.



"The move to mobile POS in certain segments is radically changing the face of retail and hospitality, particularly mall-based retailers," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL Group. "The number of devices used by department stores, apparel and shoe stores in particular will nearly triple this year."