Traders attributed the growth to expanding market of vacuum cleaners with its increasing popularity among middleclass consumers. [break]
Until five years back, only upper class families, expatriates and commercial entities like hotels were the major buyers of vacuum cleaners. Now even middleclass families have realized the benefits of the electronic cleaning device, said traders.
“Sales of vacuum cleaner has gone up because people are becoming aware about its benefits,” said Basanta Bhattarai, sales and marketing manager of Orbit International -- authorized distributor of Beko home appliances in Nepal.
Bhattarai disclosed that currently Orbit International is selling around 75 units of vacuum cleaners per month, up from 60 units last year. In the last fiscal year, Orbit sold more than 700 units and this year the company is planning to sell around 900 units.
Two types of vacuum cleaners, normal and drum, of more than 15 brands are available in the market.
Ram Bakhati, sales manager of Jumbo Electronics at New Road said demand for normal vacuum cleaners is increasing as it is comparatively more useful for household purpose compared to the other types. It is also cheaper, smaller, user friendly and consumes less electricity. He further added that people are getting busier, so they use vacuum cleaners to save time.
Normal vacuum cleaners of 1400-1800 watt capacity are available in the price range of Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000. Similarly, drum vacuum cleaners that are available in the range of 1600-2,000 watt capacity cost between Rs 11,000 and Rs 19,000.
Bakhati said that his store sold around 25 units per month last year, but this year they have been selling 30 units each month.
Beko, Matrix, LG, Electron, Nikai, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Hitachi are some of the popular vacuum cleaners brands available in Nepal.
Subarna Kaji, proprietor of Esquire TV Center at New Road, said more people are buying vacuum cleaners as only a few of them can afford household workers. “Price of vacuum cleaners depends on type, capacity and brand,” Kaji said, adding that his store is currently selling 25 units per month, compared to 20 units last year.
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