News
August 31, 2026
Miranda van Tellingen
The main reason is the ongoing shortage of memory chips and other essential electronic components. While the market has experienced supply chain disruptions several times in recent years, the availability of certain components is once again under pressure.
As a result, production costs are rising and inventory is being depleted more quickly. Manufacturers continue to look for ways to minimize the impact, but price increases have become unavoidable in many cases.
Based on our discussions with suppliers and manufacturers, we do not expect these challenges to disappear in the short term. Pressure on both availability and pricing is likely to remain visible throughout 2027.
For organizations investing in barcode scanning, mobile workstations, warehouse automation, or label printing, the announced changes may affect budgets and project planning.
Where hardware could often be ordered at a later stage in the past, it is becoming increasingly important to have visibility into future requirements. This is not only due to price developments, but also because of the availability of specific models.
In addition to the announced price increase, Zebra has also warned of declining inventory levels. This does not mean that products will immediately become unavailable, but certain configurations or models may face longer lead times.
For organizations planning expansions, replacement projects, or new implementations, it is advisable to review hardware requirements for later this year as early as possible. This can help reduce the risk of unexpected cost increases and potential delays.
The announced 15% price increase is expected to take effect on October 5, 2026. Until then, it may still be possible to benefit from current pricing, depending on inventory levels and product availability.
This does not necessarily mean that every project should be brought forward. However, it may be worthwhile to review existing plans if investments in Zebra hardware are still scheduled for this year.
As a Zebra Premier Partner, we closely monitor pricing developments, product availability, and market trends. This enables us to quickly assess the potential impact of price changes on ongoing projects and future investments.
Not every situation requires immediate action. In some cases, waiting may be the best option. In others, it may be financially beneficial to order planned quantities of Zebra scanners, mobile computers, printers, or accessories before the new prices take effect.
Curious about what this price increase could mean for your organization or an ongoing project? Feel free to contact the Reverse IT team. We are happy to help assess the impact and discuss the most suitable next steps.