Pandemic surprise: Washers sold out all over
While demand for some kitchen appliances came down through the Covid-19 pandemic holiday since March, sales of washers have skyrocketed to the idea that some brands have gone out of stock.
Market players reason that affluent persons in cities suspended housekeeping, including laundry services, to avoid the chance of transmission of the virus from outside.
Since there are several housekeepers who simultaneously serve at multiple houses, their likelihood of contracting Covid-19 was higher.
To get the washing carried out independently, these persons are increasingly making use of the electronic appliance, resulting in an abnormal rise in its sale.
"We did not imagine before the pandemic of Covid-19 that there will be this much of an increased demand and sale of washer during the last 8 weeks," explained Manzurul Karim, general manager of Esquire Electronics, the distributor of Japanese brands General and Sharp in Bangladesh.
He believes the demand has increased three to fourfold compared to occasions when things were normal.
Karim said normally the demand reached at best at 1.20 lakh units annually while the sale this season was more likely to reach 4.5 lakh units.
Their stocks got sold-out last month, which he believes was due to the fact that people had an all natural preference for Japanese brands that have garnered trust because of their reliability for long.
The situation ended up being the same throughout a visit to a showroom of Transcom Digital on Gaosul Azam Aveneu at sector 14, Uttara yesterday. Transcom Digital retails Whirlpool, Hitachi, Transtec and Samsung products.
Md Shorif Sarkar, the outlet manager, said their stocks of each brand of washing machines had been sold out only 10 days ago.
Now they needed at least seven days to replenish supplies, he said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Rashedul Islam, product manager of Transcom Digital, said that they had zero clue that the demand meant for washing machines would go up so suddenly available in the market.
Basically persons became more aware about the consequences of contracting Covid-19 and the importance of maintaining social distancing, which acquired them into purchasing washing machines, he said.
Another important driving aspect was different offers being supplied by the companies. These include cashbacks, equal monthly instalment facility, free installation offerings in addition to the inclusion of inverter technology which substantially brings down power consumption.
It is not just that washers brought ease to lifestyle, it is not something of luxury currently moment, rather essential for families, Islam said.
When it found local brand Walton, it's been 100 % growth, as per Al Imran, chief executive officer of Walton Home Appliance.
"The demand and sale of Walton washers increased drastically amid the coronavirus pandemic," he said.
He said currently Walton was creating and marketing 14 types of semi-automatic and computerized top and front-loading washers. Their prices ranged from Tk 6,990 to Tk 45,500.
Customers may also avail an equal monthly instalment facility building a down payment of Tk 999 only, he said. The business also delivers free installation and home delivery.
"Walton is normally conducting digital campaigns in the united states to supply fast and swift aftersales support. Beneath the digital campaign season 7, customers gets Tk 10 lakh or cash vouchers," he added.
Walton offers a three-year warranty at the top loading washers and a seven-year a single for front loading ones.
Another local brand, Vision Electronic devices, a sister concern of Pran-RFL Group, witnessed a 200 % increase in demand since April when compared to same period this past year.
They have eight types of semi-automatic and automatic top and front loading washers, with prices ranging from Tk 4,500 to Tk 40,900.
Seven of these are coming with free real estate delivery and installation, said Kamruzzman Kamal, director for marketing at Pran-RFL Group.
For Samsung Bangladesh, the sale increased around 350 to 400 per cent during the pandemic. On the other hand, it turned out growing by 60 per cent year-on-year for the past three years, said Sharif Islam, merchandise manager for gadgets.
Samsung retails 12 models of automated top and front-loading washers priced from Tk 29,900 to Tk 159,000, he said.
On the highest price being nowhere near other brands, he said the performance was way better and faster while power consumption was substantially low.
Like different brands Samsung can be offering free home deliveries and installations.
