Traders say that demand for air conditioners has gone down by as much as 50 percent compared to last season.[break]
“Winter is off season for air conditioners sale. Increasing frequency of power cuts has brought the sales further down,” said Subarna Kaji proprietor of Esquire Electronics. “As air conditioner has longer life, its demand is not much high as compared to other electronic products.”
Air conditioners of different brands like Samsung, Panasonic, Whirlpool, Glance, Greek, Force, Beko, Aux, Haier, LG and Force among others are available in electronics showrooms across the country.
Subarna´s store deals in Panasonic and LC brands of air conditioners.
The price of air conditioner depends on its brand and capacity i.e. ton. Panasonic and LG air conditioners of 1 ton capacity are available in the market at around Rs 50,000.
“Though the demand at present has declined, annual demand for air conditioners is on the rise,” said Manoj Sharma, proprietor of Namaste Electronics at New Road. Sharma sells around 40 to 45 units of air conditions in a year. “It grows to as much as 100 units a year, if I get good contracts,” he added.
Namaste Electronics sells air conditioners by Whirlpool, Greek and Samsung. Whirlpool and Samsung air conditioners of 1 ton capacity cost around Rs 50,000 at Sharma´s store, while Greek air conditioner of the same capacity is available for Rs 45,900.
“Due to increasing power cuts, people prefer gas heaters to keep their rooms and offices warm. This has greatly affected air conditioners sale,” said Ram Bakhati, sales executive of Jumbo Electronics at New Road.
Jumbo Electronics sells air conditioners by Beko, Haier, Aux and LG. Beko air conditioners of 1 ton capacity at Jumbo Electronics costs Rs 48,000, while Haier and Aux air conditioners of the same capacity are available for around Rs 42,000.
According to traders, prices of electronic products have increased by 10-15 percent due to strengthening of US dollar vis-à-vis Nepali currency and rise in customs valuation.
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