elgatonegro
August 5th, 2006, 08:01 PM
Around 80 percent of retail purchases of computers in malls are made through credit cards, a local computer dealer said this week.
Manuel Villaroman, president of Villman Computers Systems Inc., also said that more Filipinos are now buying computers because it has become a "necessity."
The eroding prices of computer parts and peripherals are squeezing the local dealer's profits, the executive said.
"With the prices going down, we have to sell more units," Villaroman said.
Also engaged in the business of system integration, Villman sells various brands of information technology products and solutions. The local firm has 13 retail stores in the country.
Juan Chua, president of the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippine (COMDDAP) said anecdotal evidence indicate credit card purchases for computer hardware are increasing.
"Credit cards are more aggressive these days, offering zero interests. So that's a good come-on. Also, there are more credit cards now," added Chua who is also president of Jupiter Systems Inc.
The Credit Card Association of the Philippines was unable to provide information related to purchasing behavior of local credit card users. Officials were also not available for comment.
A source in the local banking sector confirmed that more local consumers are using credit cards to purchase computers.
Meanwhile, Ricky Banaag, Intel Microelectronics Philippines country manager, acknowledged that Philippine consumers remain "price-sensitive" when it comes to buying computer hardware.
The executive, however, expects the local gaming community to be among the top buyers of newer computer hardware this year.
With the launch of its Intel Core Duo 2 processors, the executive also expects demand for computer hardware to increase this year from the creative industry and call centers.
Villaroman said local consumers can now purchase an Intel Core Duo 2-based computer for less than 30,000 pesos.
Research firm International Data Corporation expects a 10.4-percent annual growth of IT spending among Philippine companies from now until the year 2010.
Its report titled "Philippine IT Spending User Segmentation 2006-2010" said IT equipment such as personal digital assistants, desktop computers and networking products would still be the main priority among local enterprises, encompassing 67 percent of all IT spending in 2006. This is followed by 22 percent for the IT services spending and lastly, 11 percent is for software purchases.
The IDC report, however, only covered enterprise spending.
Manuel Villaroman, president of Villman Computers Systems Inc., also said that more Filipinos are now buying computers because it has become a "necessity."
The eroding prices of computer parts and peripherals are squeezing the local dealer's profits, the executive said.
"With the prices going down, we have to sell more units," Villaroman said.
Also engaged in the business of system integration, Villman sells various brands of information technology products and solutions. The local firm has 13 retail stores in the country.
Juan Chua, president of the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippine (COMDDAP) said anecdotal evidence indicate credit card purchases for computer hardware are increasing.
"Credit cards are more aggressive these days, offering zero interests. So that's a good come-on. Also, there are more credit cards now," added Chua who is also president of Jupiter Systems Inc.
The Credit Card Association of the Philippines was unable to provide information related to purchasing behavior of local credit card users. Officials were also not available for comment.
A source in the local banking sector confirmed that more local consumers are using credit cards to purchase computers.
Meanwhile, Ricky Banaag, Intel Microelectronics Philippines country manager, acknowledged that Philippine consumers remain "price-sensitive" when it comes to buying computer hardware.
The executive, however, expects the local gaming community to be among the top buyers of newer computer hardware this year.
With the launch of its Intel Core Duo 2 processors, the executive also expects demand for computer hardware to increase this year from the creative industry and call centers.
Villaroman said local consumers can now purchase an Intel Core Duo 2-based computer for less than 30,000 pesos.
Research firm International Data Corporation expects a 10.4-percent annual growth of IT spending among Philippine companies from now until the year 2010.
Its report titled "Philippine IT Spending User Segmentation 2006-2010" said IT equipment such as personal digital assistants, desktop computers and networking products would still be the main priority among local enterprises, encompassing 67 percent of all IT spending in 2006. This is followed by 22 percent for the IT services spending and lastly, 11 percent is for software purchases.
The IDC report, however, only covered enterprise spending.