Europe's IT market grows 6% as disties embrace "bold new world"

An image representing business growth, of an arrow on a document on a corkboard
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Distributors are driving forward Europe's IT market, which has reached an growth rate of 6% year-on-year, the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) has revealed.

Although some European countries experienced a decrease in IT sales in 2016, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Norway all noted double-digit growth of the IT market, with GTDC anticipating over the next quarter, sales will grow even further. However, the economy and political landscape has stunted growth in some areas, particularly the UK, where Brexit worries overshadowed spending and in France and Greece, where the economy is suffering too.

But the successes are mostly down to the relationship between vendors and distributors, the GTDC explained. A shift in a distie's role to cover the entire supply chain, rather than the "pick, pack and ship" mantra of old, has had a positive impact. Now, the end-to-end services distributors provide, including becoming a vital resource in vendor go-to-market strategies and offering value-added services, is proving beneficial.

“We come from an industry based on inventory, cost and fixed assets, but the amazing integration between distribution and the vendors has produced an industry with lower inventory, but much higher fulfilment rates," Tim Curran, CEO of GTDC, said. "That makes it more efficient and profitable.”

GTDC also identified the top three most in-demand distributor services: demand generation, education and training, and solutions development.

“Vendors and solution providers are not yet full utilising the range of services on offer from distribution however, hence the campaign, in conjunction with IT Europa to raise awareness," Curran added. "Distribution can also help solution providers with skills shortages, particularly in the technology solutions around cloud. Vendors often say they need help to enable their partners to take advantage for the new ways of working.”

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.

Latest in Business
Dell Technologies logo and branding pictured at the company's stall at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.
Scale of Dell job cuts laid bare as firm sheds 10% of staff in a year
Male employee sitting at a desk working on a laptop with earphones in and books scattered on desk.
Employees want purpose, and they’re willing to quit to find it – upskilling, career growth, and work-life balance have shifted priorities for workers
Digital handshake concept with Hand shake between two businessmen with digital hand
SYSPRO appoints Josef Al-Sibaie to spearhead global expansion
Matt Clifford speaking at Treasury Connect conference in 2023
Who is Matt Clifford?
Flexible work concept image showing woman working in office environment side by side with woman working from home.
IT professionals aren’t budging on flexible work demands – and more than half say they’ll quit if employers don’t meet expectations
Cybersecurity team members discussing strategy in an open plan office space, with male and female practitioners standing and others sitting at desks.
UK tech firms have a chance to trial a four-day week this year – here's how other pilot schemes fared
Latest in News
Ransomware concept image showing a warning symbol in red with binary code in background.
Healthcare systems are rife with exploits — and ransomware gangs have noticed
Application security concept image showing a digitized padlock placed upon a digital platform.
ESET looks to ‘empower’ partners with cybersecurity portfolio updates
Databricks logo and branding pictured on a MacBook Pro screen.
Databricks and Anthropic are teaming up on agentic AI development – here’s what it means for customers
Dell Technologies logo and branding pictured at the company's stall at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.
Scale of Dell job cuts laid bare as firm sheds 10% of staff in a year
Male employee sitting at a desk working on a laptop with earphones in and books scattered on desk.
Employees want purpose, and they’re willing to quit to find it – upskilling, career growth, and work-life balance have shifted priorities for workers
NHS logo displayed on a smartphone screen in white lettering on a blue background.
NHS supplier hit with £3m fine for security failings that led to attack