[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] This summer, the longest rainy season in nine years has brought hot and humid weather, leading to a surge in sales of dehumidifiers and dryers. The rainy season is expected to continue until around the 15th of this month, which is anticipated to further boost sales of related products.
According to online retailer Shinsegae SSG.com on the 8th, sales of dehumidifiers and dryers last month increased by 62% and 34%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. In particular, sales of these two products soared by 132% and 175%, respectively, compared to the previous month (June).
The domestic dehumidifier market peaked at 1.3 million units in 2013 but shrank to around 200,000 units last year. The industry expects sales of dehumidifiers to exceed 200,000 units this year due to the sharp increase in demand.
On the other hand, air conditioner sales last month increased by only 5% compared to the same period last year. SSG.com explained that there was no significant change compared to the previous month.
The reason for the sluggish air conditioner sales last month is attributed to early heatwaves in June that led to increased pre-orders, and the prolonged rainy season significantly reduced expected demand. There is also an interpretation that the air conditioner market has reached saturation over the past three years in the home appliance sector.
A representative from a large mart said, “Industry insiders noted that demand for hygiene-related products such as dehumidifiers and dryers has greatly increased in conjunction with the spread of COVID-19,” adding, “Since last month, the proportion of air conditioner sales has significantly decreased.”
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