American Retailers Spent Nearly $6 Billion on POS Terminals in 2005

According to the study, retailers in all vertical segments are looking more to purchasing their POS hardware and software from different vendors. With few exceptions, the dual vendor strategy is being pushed by lower cost hardware options that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems and Linux. These are just some of the findings from IHLs new market study, 2005 North American Retail POS Terminal Study, which is available immediately. Additional findings include: -- Specialty Category Killers was the strongest market segment, adding over 321,000 new terminals in 2005. -- In 2005, Intel Celeron/AMD Sempron processors were the most popular choices for new POS units purchased. -- Microsoft Windows operating systems continue to gain market share with a combined 71 percent of the market in 2005. Windows XPe and WEPOS accounted for 12 percent of shipments in 2005. -- Linux also has increased its market share from 5 percent to 9 percent, and increased a strong 80 percent increase in 2005. IHLs 2006 North American Retail POS Terminal Study reviews the shipments and installed base of POS terminals sold into retailers in North America. It includes market shipment and installed base figures, market value, situation analysis for 10 retail market segments, overall trends affecting the POS market, and forecasts through 2010.