Due to Fine Dust Surge... Air Purification Products Sales 'Soar'

Air Purifier Sales Up 12%
Growth Trend in Clothing Care Device Market
Targeting Demand with Discount Events

Recently, as fine dust has been rampant during the spring season, the number of people purchasing air purification products has significantly increased. In the past, air purifiers and clothing care devices were considered auxiliary appliances, but now they have become essential home appliances.

According to Lotte Hi-Mart on the 22nd, sales of air purifiers increased by 10% compared to the previous month from the 14th to the 20th of this month. At Electronic Land, sales of air purifiers increased by 12% and clothing care devices by 14% from the 1st to the 20th of this month compared to last month.

Air purifiers have effectively become year-round appliances as fine dust occurs frequently in spring, fall, and winter, excluding summer. The increased interest in indoor air quality and respiratory health since COVID-19 is also a cause of the rising demand. Clothing care devices offer wrinkle removal, odor elimination, and sterilization functions. Although they did not attract much attention initially, purchases have surged since the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, the clothing care device market size jumped 13-fold in five years, from 29.4 billion KRW in 2015 to 393.7 billion KRW in 2020.

Sales of fine dust-related products have also increased on major online malls. On Gmarket, sales of air-purifying plants increased by 142%, air deodorizers by 50%, and car air purification products by 14% from the 14th to the 20th of this month compared to the previous month. During the same period, 11st saw a 75% increase in sales of air-purifying plants. On Lotte ON, sales of air purifiers rose by 30%, and clothing care devices doubled. At SSG.com, sales of air purifiers and clothing care devices increased by 7% and 46%, respectively.

Each company has launched promotions for air purification products to target demand. Electronic Land is holding a sale until the 31st of this month on its official online shopping mall, offering up to 43% discounts on air purifiers and air conditioners equipped with air purification functions. Gmarket is offering popular home appliances such as Samsung Bespoke air purifiers and clothing care devices at discounted prices until the 26th. Currently, 11st is running a special event for the cost-effective brand 'All Standard,' selling masks, humidifiers, and more at reasonable prices.

An industry insider said, “With ultrafine dust becoming severe, sales of related home appliances have noticeably increased. We expect the number of people using air purifiers and clothing care devices for respiratory health to continue growing. Through special events and brand-specific promotions, we plan to make it convenient for customers to purchase the products they want.”