West Asia Conflict Drives Sharp Rise in Electric Kitchen Appliance Sales
Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, households across India are increasingly turning to electric kitchen appliances as concerns mount over the availability of cooking gas. Industry executives report a dramatic surge in demand for induction cooktops and electric kettles, with sales multiplying several times over in recent days.
Retailers Witness Unprecedented Demand Spike
Tata Group's Croma has experienced a significant uptick in consumer interest for induction cooktops. Shibashish Roy, CEO and MD of Infiniti Retail Ltd (Croma), stated that the average daily run rate for these appliances has surged to nearly three times the usual levels. "We have observed a sharp and immediate uptick in demand over the past few days," Roy said, highlighting a shift in consumer behavior where customers are now purchasing multiple units at once, indicating precautionary buying.
Alongside induction cooktops, demand for electric kettles has nearly doubled compared to regular rates. Roy noted that these appliances are increasingly viewed as reliable and convenient alternatives to LPG, with momentum building for electric cooking solutions in households. Croma is ensuring adequate availability across both physical stores and online channels to meet this rising demand.
E-commerce Platforms Report Exponential Growth
An Amazon India spokesperson revealed staggering sales figures, with induction cooktops seeing a 30-fold increase over the last two days. Rice cookers and electric pressure cookers have witnessed a 4X rise, while air fryers and multi-use kettles are up by 2X. The spokesperson added that customers in parts of Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are utilizing Amazon Now for rapid delivery of these products.
Echoing this trend, Rajendra Gandhi, Managing Director of Stovekraft Ltd, reported a fourfold spike in average weekly sales of induction cooktops through e-commerce channels since tensions began in the Middle East. The company, which manufactures around 2 lakh induction cooktops annually at its facility in Harohalli, Karnataka, plans to ramp up production in the coming financial year. Stovekraft expects sustained consumer interest in energy-efficient and alternative cooking solutions as households seek reliable and cost-effective appliances, selling under brands like Pigeon and Gilma.
Government Assurances on LPG Supply Amid Conflict
Despite the surge in electric appliance demand, a senior Oil Ministry official has urged against panic booking of LPG cylinders. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, emphasized that the normal delivery cycle of about 2.5 days is continuing, and India's crude oil supplies remain secure. She clarified that crude is being sourced through routes avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint in the region.
Government measures have led to a 25% increase in LPG production, according to the ministry. However, disruptions in energy supplies due to the widening conflict have created limitations in maintaining LPG supplies to industrial and commercial consumers for the time being.
This shift towards electric cooking solutions underscores broader concerns over energy security and household preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, driving rapid changes in consumer purchasing patterns across the country.
