A sudden and severe cold snap in Ludhiana has turned the city's heating appliance market from sluggish to scorching hot. With the sun disappearing and daytime temperatures plunging to a chilly 11.2°C, dealers are witnessing an unprecedented rush, with sales of essential heaters doubling within a mere 48 hours.
From Dull Winter to Red-Hot Demand
This surge marks a dramatic reversal for retailers who were grappling with a frustratingly mild December. The abrupt change in weather has transformed heaters from a postponable purchase into an immediate necessity for shivering residents. Local traders, who were receiving only five to seven inquiries a day last month, are now fielding as many as 25 queries daily.
"Sales have doubled almost overnight because the sun has simply disappeared," confirmed Gurpreet Singh, a local retailer, capturing the sentiment of the market. The primary hubs of this activity are the city's prominent Bijli Market and shops along Chandigarh Road.
What Ludhiana is Buying to Beat the Chill
Affordability and quick heating capacity are driving consumer choices in this cold emergency. The top sellers remain rod-based heaters and blowers, prized for their low cost and ability to warm rooms rapidly. Over the last two years, compact, tap-based heaters have also gained significant traction for their easy installation in kitchens and bathrooms.
For lower-income households, coil-based heaters continue to be a staple, serving the dual purpose of space heating and basic cooking. The current rush has been a lifeline for shopkeepers, helping them clear stocks that were previously piled high in warehouses.
A Respite for Retailers, But With Caution
While the cold wave has provided a much-needed boost, some traders express cautious optimism. Rahul Sachdeva, an electrical goods dealer, pointed out that the late arrival of intense cold might cap seasonal profits. "The cold is intense, but had it arrived a month ago, it would have been much better for our bottom line, especially with the Lohri festival approaching," he noted.
For the residents of Ludhiana, the decision is no longer about economics but immediate comfort and necessity. A customer at a Chandigarh Road shop explained the urgency: "In December, the cold was manageable, so I held off on the expense. But now, with no sun and this biting wind, you can't even go to sleep without shivering. We had no choice but to come out and buy one today."
As the city bundles up, retailers are now hoping the mercury remains low, allowing the current sales momentum to continue and clear out their remaining winter inventory.
