Sales of personal computer software in the Asia/Pacific region soared 94% to $325m during the second quarter of 1995 according the Software Publishers Association. Total unit sales were up 175% in the quarter and 150% for the half. The growth was in part due to Japan’s insatiable appetite for US software, which grew revenues by 121% to $216.2m in the quarter. When broken down into 11 separate regions Japan was shown to be largest market for US software and was double its nearest rival, Germany. Australia and New Zealand represented the second largest market with combined sales up 30% at $55.6m. Australian software revenues grew 17% to $44.5m, but New Zealand soared from a low base, jumping 171% to $10m for the quarter. Taiwan represented the third largest market with revenues of $14.5m – a 112% increase on last time. Commenting on the growth of the Taiwanese market, which saw revenues up 112% to $14.5m, Ken Wasch, president of the Association, said that software sales had doubled from this time last year, which indicated progress in reaching such crucial markets. Following a general industry trend, Windows software outsold Macintosh software, although Macintosh software sales maintained a steady presence and took 13% of the overall Asia/Pacific software sales during the second quarter and was 18% of all sales in Japan.
