Heat wave spurs AC sales after a slow start of summer

The first 15 days of May were not very encouraging in terms of sales as there were rains but in the last 10 days temperature has gone up

As heat wave sweeps across the country, sale of air conditioners has finally started picking up after a slow start because heavy rains had kept the summer temperatures low initially.

Manufacturers like Godrej, Voltas, Daikin and Videocon are witnessing a pick up in AC demand as the mercury hovers above 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of India.

"As the heat wave is continuing, we are definitely seeing increase in sales of ACs and refrigerators," Godrej Appliances Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Kamal Nandi told PTI.

The first 15 days of May were not very encouraging in terms of sales as there were rains, he said.

"However, in the last 10 days temperature has gone up. It is influencing customers to buy cooling products," Nandi said, adding that in May the company has registered over 30 per cent growth in terms of value.

Daikin Airconditioning India's Managing Director Kanwal Jeet Jawa said: "Sales are picking up in May and the industry is selling whatsoever is available although they were not expecting it to happen. Sales of the industry would grow between 12 to 16 per in April and May."

Voltas President and COO Pradeep Bakshi said AC sales picked up this year late due to factors such as hail storms and rains.

"The market was affected as over all 50 per cent of sales comes from the Northern region. In April the growth was in single digit but in May volume growth was up to 20 per cent," Bakshi said, adding "our water cooler segment has also picked up in May although we have ventured in this segment recently".

Videocon Industries COO (Air Conditioner) Sanjeev Bakshi the company's sales grew 68 per cent in April and sales in May were also good.

Industry body CEAMA Secretary General Amit Chadha hoped that in the coming days demand of ACs would increase.

"Sales of ACs in April was low due to unseasonal rains and we are expecting that it will pick up in May as the temperature has increased," Chadha said.

The nationwide death toll had crossed 2,000 last week as the intense heatwave continued to sweep many parts of the country.