By Richard Mann, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Mobile phone trade in Brazil in 2018 was anything but positive in terms of sales. According to IDC Brazil Mobile Phone Tracker Q4/2018, the market closed last year registering a drop in 6.8 percent in comparison to 2017.
Out of 46.9 million handsets sold, 44.4 million were smartphones, while 2.5 million were feature phones. The last quarter was the worst, dropping 14.3 percent between October and December. Black Friday and Christmas helped save the day.
On the other hand, revenue increased by 6 percent in comparison to 2017, based on device prices marketed throughout the year. 14.1 percent cost under R$699 (-41.5 percent); 39.8 percent cost between R$700 and R$1,099 (-25.8 percent); 35.6 percent ranged from R$1,100 to R$1,999 (+ 73.1 percent).
According to IDC Brasil market analyst Renato Meireles, three specific situations affected the trade of the equipment in the country: the truck drivers’ strike, the election period and the dollar oscillation.
“We went through three moments that negatively reflected the market: the truckers’ strike, the elections and the high fluctuation of the dollar. The index of investor confidence declined and over the year, discussion of political and socioeconomic issues such as pension reform and presidential elections affected virtually the entire technology sector.”