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http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101222-254071.html
Most-wanted home item: Air-con
Wed, Dec 22, 2010
my paper
CONSUMERS here are spending more on major household appliances compared to last year, with the air-conditioner being the most sought-after item.
Singapore-based market-research firm GfK Asia tracked sales at major electronics and appliance stores between January and October this year in nine Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The study found a 15.2 per cent hike in the number of major household appliances sold in Singapore, as well as a 17.7 per cent increase in terms of total sales value.
It also showed that average prices of major appliances rose by 19.5 per cent in that period, year-on-year.
And, according to the study, Singapore households spent 42.8 per cent of their total major home-appliance expenditure on air-cons - third-highest among the nine markets.
Ms Jasmine Lim, regional account director for home appliances at GfK Asia, said the rise in air-con sales is due to "an intense and early start to summer" this year.
She added that households are increasingly adopting the new inverter technology which is more expensive, but promises cost savings in the long run through energy saving.
About 56 per cent of all aircons bought in Singapore are inverter- types, a rise from 37.2 per cent last year.
Inverter air-cons regulate temperatures in response to cooling demand, and are thus more efficient.
"Consumers these days are more well-informed and conscious about environmental issues, thanks to global activities... to raise awareness of its importance," said Ms Lim. "As such trends persist...we can expect more environmentally friendly appliances to occupy a substantial proportion of the market."
Electronics retailers Gain City and Audio House told my paper that they experienced more than 20 per cent growth in sales value this year from last year.
And, sure enough, inverter air-cons were a hit, making up 70-80 per cent of all air-con purchases, compared with only 10-20 per cent in the past, said Gain City's managing director, Mr Kenny Teo.
Ms Goh Choon Gek, electrical buying director from Courts Singapore, said the company saw "high double-digit growth" in sales of major household appliances. "With the economic recovery this year, the property market is doing very well, with many new home owners," she explained.
Ms Puk Yingjun, 29, who bought a refrigerator earlier this year from Gain City, said she goes for goods that offer value for money and can last several years. "I've learnt to buy things of good quality because I bought a cheap vacuum cleaner this year that broke down, even though I use it infrequently," said the sales manager.
For teacher Angela Zhou, 30, being green is her priority. All her new household items are "4-tick" models - appliances which are energy-efficient. "I'm very into being environmentally friendly so, in whatever tiny way I can help, I will do it. It will also help me save on my bills," she said.
For more my paper stories click here.
Most-wanted home item: Air-con
Wed, Dec 22, 2010
my paper
CONSUMERS here are spending more on major household appliances compared to last year, with the air-conditioner being the most sought-after item.
Singapore-based market-research firm GfK Asia tracked sales at major electronics and appliance stores between January and October this year in nine Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The study found a 15.2 per cent hike in the number of major household appliances sold in Singapore, as well as a 17.7 per cent increase in terms of total sales value.
It also showed that average prices of major appliances rose by 19.5 per cent in that period, year-on-year.
And, according to the study, Singapore households spent 42.8 per cent of their total major home-appliance expenditure on air-cons - third-highest among the nine markets.
Ms Jasmine Lim, regional account director for home appliances at GfK Asia, said the rise in air-con sales is due to "an intense and early start to summer" this year.
She added that households are increasingly adopting the new inverter technology which is more expensive, but promises cost savings in the long run through energy saving.
About 56 per cent of all aircons bought in Singapore are inverter- types, a rise from 37.2 per cent last year.
Inverter air-cons regulate temperatures in response to cooling demand, and are thus more efficient.
"Consumers these days are more well-informed and conscious about environmental issues, thanks to global activities... to raise awareness of its importance," said Ms Lim. "As such trends persist...we can expect more environmentally friendly appliances to occupy a substantial proportion of the market."
Electronics retailers Gain City and Audio House told my paper that they experienced more than 20 per cent growth in sales value this year from last year.
And, sure enough, inverter air-cons were a hit, making up 70-80 per cent of all air-con purchases, compared with only 10-20 per cent in the past, said Gain City's managing director, Mr Kenny Teo.
Ms Goh Choon Gek, electrical buying director from Courts Singapore, said the company saw "high double-digit growth" in sales of major household appliances. "With the economic recovery this year, the property market is doing very well, with many new home owners," she explained.
Ms Puk Yingjun, 29, who bought a refrigerator earlier this year from Gain City, said she goes for goods that offer value for money and can last several years. "I've learnt to buy things of good quality because I bought a cheap vacuum cleaner this year that broke down, even though I use it infrequently," said the sales manager.
For teacher Angela Zhou, 30, being green is her priority. All her new household items are "4-tick" models - appliances which are energy-efficient. "I'm very into being environmentally friendly so, in whatever tiny way I can help, I will do it. It will also help me save on my bills," she said.
For more my paper stories click here.
