Fitbit losing to Apple, Xiaomi in wearable-device race

New York

FITBIT Inc fell to third place in the wearable-device market in the first quarter, losing out to rival connected watches and fitness bands from Apple Inc and Xiaomi Corp.

Fitbit's share slid to 12 per cent of all unit sales from 23 per cent a year earlier, according to data from market researcher IDC. The San Francisco-based company saw its dominance fade even as the overall device market grew 18 per cent to 24.7 million shipments worldwide. Xiaomi and Apple tied for first place, with about 15 per cent each.