Air Conditioning Appliances, High Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness Are the Trend
Impact of High Inflation and Electricity Rate Increases
Dehumidifiers and Food Waste Processors Become Essential Appliances
As the intense heat begins in earnest, sales of summer home appliances have significantly increased. In the past, only cooling appliances such as air conditioners and fans were popular, but now dehumidifiers and food waste disposers are emerging as essential appliances.
A model is introducing air conditioner promotional products at Lotte Hi-Mart. [Photo by Lotte Hi-Mart].
According to Lotte Hi-Mart on the 17th, from the 1st to the 11th of this month, air conditioner sales increased by 40% compared to the previous month, fans by 4.2 times, and dehumidifiers by 2.3 times. During the same period, at Electronic Land, air conditioners (73%), fans and circulators (275%), and food waste disposers (200%) sold well.
Due to high inflation and electricity rate hikes, high-efficiency and cost-effective cooling appliances are the trend. New air conditioner models from major brands such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are equipped with energy-saving functions. Additionally, relatively affordable window-type air conditioners and portable air conditioners are popular. In fact, at Lotte Hi-Mart, sales of double window-type air conditioners increased more than fourfold, and double circulators among fans surged 4.7 times.
More people are also seeking dehumidifiers and food waste disposers. Dehumidifiers are used to quickly and effectively manage indoor humidity in preparation for the rainy season. Food waste disposers greatly help solve summer odors and fruit fly problems. According to the industry, the domestic food waste disposer market size was 200 billion KRW in 2021, exceeded 600 billion KRW last year, and is expected to reach 1 trillion KRW this year.
Sales of summer appliances also surged on online malls. At Gmarket, sales of air conditioners (14%), fans (56%), circulators (20%), and dehumidifiers (15%) increased compared to the previous month. On 11st, cooling fans rose 174%, fans 172%, dehumidifiers 13%, and food waste disposers 7%. At SSG.com, air conditioners increased by 50%, fans by 3.5 times, and dehumidifiers by 25%. On Lotte ON, air conditioners grew by 30%, and fans and circulators showed a 100% growth rate.
Each company has launched summer appliance discount events. Lotte Hi-Mart is selling popular air conditioner products by brand at discounted prices until the end of this month. Electronic Land offers up to 36 months of long-term interest-free benefits when paying for all air conditioners over 1 million KRW with affiliated cards, and provides an additional 100,000 KRW cashback when purchasing energy-efficient air conditioners.
An industry official said, "As demand for summer appliances is increasing recently, there is a trend of preferring products with high cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency," adding, "We will propose various products and strengthen discount benefits in line with customer purchasing trends."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
