Volume up: Audio dock demand rose by 14%

Singapore holds the biggest market share of audio docks at USD4.5m.

According to GfK Retail and Technology,  as smartphone penetration level continues to deepen across the region, sales of audio docks have similarly been on the upswing, reflecting a considerable rise in demand. Across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, a total of 66,000 units were sold in January to May 2012, nearly 10,000 more compared to the same period in 2011.

Here's more from GfK:

Although Indonesia reported the highest growth for this product segment, it is the developed market of Singapore which at USD4.5 million is currently holding the biggest market share for audio docks. One in every two units (50%) of audio docks sold in the four countries collectively was bought by consumers in Singapore and volume demand in the country alone went up by 14 percent over last year. In Malaysia, the second largest market which contributed 30 percent in sales quantity, an increased 19 percent demand was also registered.

An apparent upward trend is seen in the take up rate of the more costly home audio dock system across all of the four Southeast Asian countries. Overall, demand surged at a robust double digit rate of 24 percent this year, with three out of the four markets reporting healthy double digit growth between 4 and 39 percent. At the current average cost of USD265—as compared USD314 a year ago, prices have fallen some 16 percent, making audio dock systems even more affordable today.

While the biggest market for home audio dock systems remains as Indonesia, it is Singapore consumers who are buying the most tabletop docking stations. In totality however, this portable segment grew at a lesser rate of 12 and 10 percent in value and volume respectively. It has also reported a slight average price increase of around two percent over last year.