In 2024, with the accelerated digital transformation of the retail, catering, and logistics industries, demand for payment terminals (POS machines) and data collection equipment (scanners) continued to grow in Europe and the United States. According to the latest market report from IDC and Gartner, the global POS machine market reached $18.7 billion in 2023, while the scanner market reached approximately $9.6 billion, totaling over $28 billion. Although overall POS machine sales still exceed those of scanners, in recent years the two have shown a trend of deep integration in terms of product form, application scenarios, and ecosystem integration, driving structural changes in POS machines silicone case market landscape and barcode scanners market trend analysis of European and American markets.
I. Market Trend Analysis: From "Standalone Devices" to "Intelligent Integrated Systems"
1.POS Machines: Evolving Towards Multifunctionality, Intelligence, and Cloud Computing
Leading companies such as VeriFone, NCR Corporation, and Worldpay Group are upgrading traditional POS machines into intelligent terminals integrating payment processing, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and data analytics. For example:
①VeriFone's Vx series supports Bluetooth connectivity, remote firmware updates, and AI-driven fraud detection;
②NCR’s Self-Service Kiosk has achieved seamless integration with backend ERP systems and is widely used in chain supermarkets and fast-food brands;
③Heartland Payment Systems has launched mobile wireless POS devices specifically optimized for small merchants and food delivery scenarios.
Market data shows that in 2023, POS machine shipments in Europe and the United States increased by 8.5% year-on-year, with smart/cloud-based POS machines accounting for 62%.
2.Barcode Scanners: From "Scanning Tools" to "Industrial-Grade Intelligent Sensing Units"Barcode scanners are no longer limited to reading barcodes at checkout counters, but are evolving towards higher precision, higher stability, and stronger environmental adaptability. Typical examples include:①Honeywell's Hyperion series supports multi-format decoding and is suitable for complex labels such as those for fresh produce and pharmaceuticals;
②Datalogic widely uses its industrial-grade barcode scanners in automotive manufacturing and pharmaceutical cold chain industries;
③Cognex has launched machine vision-based barcode readers capable of recognizing blurry, damaged, or low-contrast barcodes, dominating the smart manufacturing field;
④Zebra integrates barcode scanners with mobile data terminals (MDTs) and printers to build end-to-end automation solutions, enabling it to process millions of orders daily in e-commerce warehousing.
According to Statista, sales of industrial barcode scanners in Europe increased by 11.3% year-on-year in 2023, far exceeding the 4.7% growth rate in retail, reflecting the strong demand for highly reliable equipment in the manufacturing and logistics industries.
II.Product Sales Volume Comparison: The Gap Narrows, Ecosystem Collaboration Becomes a New Trend
| Key Indicators | POS Machines (US & Europe Market, 2023) | Barcode Scanners (US & Europe Market, 2023) |
| Shipments (Units: pcs) | Approx. 1,25,000,000 | Approx. 87,000,000 |
| Market Size (USD Billion) | 187 | 96 |
| Annual Growth Rate | +8.5% | +7.2% |
| Major Application Industries | Retail, Catering, Hospitality | Manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare, Retail |
Key Insights:
While POS machine shipments still outpace barcode scanners (approximately 44% higher), their growth rates are converging, and barcode scanner penetration in the industrial sector is rapidly increasing.
Ecosystem Integration Capabilities Become a Core Competency: For example, Zebra, with its complete "hardware + software + service" ecosystem, has achieved integrated deployment of barcode scanners with mobile terminals and printers, driving overall equipment bundled sales; Honeywell and Delphi have also launched scanning solutions that can be integrated into enterprise ERP systems.
III. Future Outlook: Integrated Innovation, Fostering a New Paradigm for Smart Terminals
1. The Rise of Integrated Devices:Several manufacturers have launched integrated devices, such as:
①NCR's Omni-Series:A full-featured POS terminal with a built-in scanning module;
②Zebra’s MC 3300: A mobile terminal combining scanning, printing, and communication functions;
③VeriFone VX 820: Supports plug-and-play scanners, achieving "one device, multiple functions".
2. Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing Enablement** New-generation barcode scanners are incorporating lightweight AI algorithms, enabling automatic product category identification and abnormal barcode alerts, further reducing human error.
3. **Sustainability and Modular Design Gain Popularity** The EU's Green Electronics Act promotes extended device lifecycles, making modular designs (such as replaceable scanner heads) mainstream and reducing e-waste.
IV.Conclusion:
Currently, the European and American markets are undergoing a profound transformation from "single-function devices" to "intelligent integrated systems." Although POS machines still dominate in terms of shipment volume, barcode scanners, with their irreplaceable role in industrial automation and smart logistics, are demonstrating strong growth potential. In the future, whoever can build an open, compatible, and scalable software and hardware ecosystem will gain a competitive advantage in the next round of competition.
V.Industry Recommendations:
1.Suppliers should strengthen cross-device collaboration capabilities and promote deep integration of POS systems and barcode scanners.
2.End users should focus on "overall solutions" rather than single device purchases to improve operational efficiency.
3.The upstream and downstream of the industry chain need to strengthen standardization and promote the interoperability and mutual recognition of interfaces, protocols, and data formats.
