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Camera Stores in the US - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Gabriel Seiler Gabriel Seiler New York, United States Last Updated: June 2023 NAICS 44313

Revenue

$3.2bn

2023

$3.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xm

Employees

4,485

Businesses

1,289

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Camera Stores in the US industry analysis

Over the past decade, camera stores have faced declining revenue amid the proliferation of smartphone ownership and strong price-based competition posed by large consumer electronic stores and e-commerce sites. These other retailers have been better able to capture what demand for cameras remains as smartphones continue to siphon away demand for digital cameras. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the industry's decline as foot traffic at bricks-and-mortar stores dropped off, and the revenue growth in 2021 brought by pent-up demand wasn't enough to offset previous losses. Industry-wide revenue has been growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the past five years and is expected to total $3.2 billion in 2023 when revenue will drop by an estimated 2.6%.As camera phone technology has improved, consumers have increasingly opted for a single device with a built-in camera. Smartphone technology is continually improving, and the gap between the quality of an image taken with an iPhone or Google Pixel and one taken with a digital camera is shrinking. Smartphones also give consumers the ability to share photos on social media in mere seconds. Falling revenue spurned by this competition is making the industry's fixed costs less manageable, stifling profit. Many stores have been unable to turn a profit at all and have been forced to permanently close up shop.Going forward, the advancement of smartphones and shift in consumer preference towards online retailers will fuel the industry's continued decline. Camera stores will need to cater to the most resilient source of demand, professional photographers, by stocking their shelves with high-quality digital interchangeable lens cameras. Mass merchandisers and other retailers will continue to undercut the industry's prices and force many camera stores out of business. While rising disposable income will slow revenue loss, the industry will continue on its downward trajectory. Over the five years to 2028, industry revenue is forecast to sink at a CAGR of 1.7% to total $2.9 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • The industry has been declining for over a decade. Demand for cameras has been steadily siphoned away by the proliferation of smartphones, which have fully replaced digital cameras for most consumers.
  • Digital interchangeable lens cameras bring the most revenue. These cameras are geared toward professionals and are much more expensive, illustrating the shift in consumer preference to smartphone cameras over standalone point-and-shoots.
  • Camera stores closely follow population trends. Because retailers sell directly to consumers, they need to be located in areas where consumers can access them.
  • Competition is battering camera stores. The industry has struggled to contend with its many substitutes, all of which are undercutting the prices and capturing falling consumer demand for cameras.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.2bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Smartphones are devastating demand for cameras

  • While consumers once would pick up a camera to take a family photo or pic from their vacation, the proliferation of smartphones has made standalone cameras unnecessary.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Camera Stores in the US
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The digital age will continue to batter the industry

  • E-commerce sales will continue to flourish over the next five years as consumers prefer the convenience and prices offered by Amazon and other online retailers.

Biggest companies in the Camera Stores in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($short_0)
2023
Profit ($short_0)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Camera Stores in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Camera Stores in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Interchangeable lenses, Built-in lens cameras and Single-reflex interchangeable cameras. Interchangeable lenses is the largest segment of the Camera Stores in the US.

Trends and Insights

Interchangeable lens digital cameras

  • Interchangeable lens digital cameras, which include DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) and nonreflex models, are the top product for camera stores, as they allow users to switch lenses, offering flexibility and creativity in their photography.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises brick-and-mortar camera stores that primarily sell photographic equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment, film, tripods and other camera accessories. E-commerce, consumer electronic stores and catalog sales are not included in this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Camera equipment retailingPhotographic supplies retailingLighting equipment retailing Tripod equipment retailing

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DIGITAL SINGLE LENS REFLEX (DSLR)MEGAPIXELDIGITAL CAMERABRICK-AND-MORTARSMARTPHONEBIG-BOX STORE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 443142 - Camera Stores in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The industry has been declining for over a decade. Demand for cameras has been steadily siphoned away by the proliferation of smartphones, which have fully replaced digital c...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Digital interchangeable lens cameras bring the most revenue. These cameras are geared toward professionals and are much more expensive, illustrating the shift in consumer pre...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Camera stores closely follow population trends. Because retailers sell directly to consumers, they need to be located in areas where consumers can access them.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition is battering camera stores. The industry has struggled to contend with its many substitutes, all of which are undercutting the prices and capturing falling consum...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major companies. Most camera stores are small shops that serve local markets.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Camera stores operate free from most oversight. While they still need to abide by consumer protection and labor laws, there’s no federal legislation that directly regulates t...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Camera stores are struggling to turn a profit. In the age of smartphones and Amazon, camera stores are finding it difficult to sell enough products to cover their fixed costs...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2016-2021)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2016-2021)
    • Income Statement (2016-2021)
    • Balance Sheet (2016-2021)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
    • Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2016-2021)
    • Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
    • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
    • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
    • Average Wage (2013-2028)
    • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
    • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
    • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
    • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2013-2028)
    • IVA (2013-2028)
    • Establishments (2013-2028)
    • Enterprises (2013-2028)
    • Employment (2013-2028)
    • Exports (2013-2028)
    • Imports (2013-2028)
    • Wages (2013-2028)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States is $3.2bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Camera Stores in the US industry in 2023?

    There are 1,289 businesses in the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2018 and 2023.

    Has the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 4.7 % between 2018 and 2023.

    What is the forecast growth of the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.

    What does the Camera Stores in the US in United States include?

    Camera equipment retailing and Photographic supplies retailing are part of the Camera Stores in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the Camera Stores in the US industry in United States.

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    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.