{"id":1867,"date":"2016-04-25T21:00:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T04:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/droneanalyst.com\/?p=1867"},"modified":"2017-01-04T10:26:32","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T18:26:32","slug":"insights-from-new-market-research-on-drones-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/droneanalyst.com\/2016\/04\/25\/insights-from-new-market-research-on-drones-sales\/'","title":{"rendered":"Insights from New Market Research on Drones Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

We just released \u201cDrones in the Channel: 2016 Market Report,\u201d a research study examining drone sales and distribution channels in North America. It\u2019s the first in-depth study of drone sales channels and reveals mixed distribution tactics as well as pinpoints market share of major UAV brands.<\/p>\n

The report is a result of a three-month project sponsored by BZ Media<\/a>.\u00a0 Incorporating qualitative research and including interviews with major drone manufacturers and drone distributors, the study also contains the results of a quantitative precision survey. It offers fresh insights on the major brands and the growing role that distribution and reseller businesses play in the sale of consumer and commercial drones. You can read the press release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Among the many insights we got from the research, these two are worth highlighting:<\/p>\n

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  1. Most drones costing more than $2,000 are purchased for professional use.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. DJI\u2019s overall market share in North America is about 50 percent\u2014not 70 percent as popularly described.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As I mentioned, part of the study was an online survey.\u00a0 That survey was promoted by media partner sUAS News<\/a>. It garnered responses from 783 drone buyers, so the results have a confidence level of 95% for a population of five million.<\/p>\n

    The survey found that the majority (52 percent) of people who purchase drones (at all price points) do so for photo and video taking\u2014either for hobby or for commercial purposes.\u00a0 But drilling down, our analysis found that 75 percent of drones costing more than $2,000 are bought for professional use. This includes operations for public entities (such as federal and local governments, police departments, universities, etc.) and civil operations (which includes commercial and private industry operators).<\/p>\n

    The survey also found that across all brands and all price points, DJI\u2019s share of the North American market is 50.1 percent.\u00a0 The devil, of course, is in the detail.\u00a0 As you look at detailed price points, DJI\u2019s share is both higher and lower.\u00a0 For example, we found that in the $1,000 to $7,499 price range, DJI\u2019s share is about 67 percent, but under $1,000, it\u2019s only about 21 percent.<\/p>\n

    The 44-page report<\/strong> is quite comprehensive. It contains 21 figures, 9 tables<\/strong> and provides answers to questions<\/strong> like:<\/p>\n