MAM
Big ticket items are driving growth in the consumer durables industry this festive season: GfK
Mumbai: The pandemic effect appears to be waning as buying momentum for home appliances and electronics has improved in 2022, more so for premium products.
According to GfK market intelligence offline retail tracking, the top five consumer durable goods that contributed the most volume to growth during the festive season of 2021 compared to their annual sales were televisions (28 per cent), microwave ovens (28 per cent), vacuum cleaners (25 per cent) and washing machines (25 per cent). Based on past trends, these four products are expected to drive the growth of the consumer durable industry during this festive season as well.
GfK head of market intelligence India Anant Jain said, “As a result of the epidemic outbreak, consumer goods sales have been facing challenges for the past two years, but now things appear to be returning to “normal.” The fact that certain significant industries experienced strong double-digit growth in Q1 of 2022 is proof that the offline market has received a stimulus with shoppers moving back to the market to shop. For select categories, like washing machines, microwaves, televisions, and vacuum cleaners, the festive season accounts for more than 25 per cent of their annual sales. Additionally, electric water heaters also sell more than 30 per cent of their annual volumes during the festive months. With a 17 per cent volume gain over the prior year in July 2022 and a 21 per cent increase in value for major domestic appliances, consumer durables enjoyed a good start to the second quarter of 2022 (AC, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave).”
The second half of the year also looks promising for consumer durables due to the upcoming festivities in October. Every major manufacturer, retailer, and e-commerce platform is promoting their festive deals. Volume increased by 16 per cent year on year in October 2021. Sales of all major domestic appliance products are influenced by the festive season, especially during the Diwali months of October and November, and contribute roughly 17–19 per cent of all sales annually. This percentage is more for small domestic appliance categories, at about 21-23 per cent. During the forthcoming festive season, healthy growth and recovery of the early months lost owing to the third wave in January and February ’22 is anticipated.
As businesses compete for customers by offering incentives, some trends have emerged in the retail landscape. In addition to standard regular discounts, marketers are enticing customers with exchange offers, lucky draws, cashback, gift sets, and extended warranties. The trend of premiumization is expected to continue this festive season as Indian consumers continue to seek products that provide superior performance and user experience.
According to GfK’s assessment of industry expectations, some features and innovations are beginning to gain traction as ways to draw customers to new product launches. For instance, the industry anticipates products where design and personalisation come together to create the best possible customer experience. Consumers have responded favourably to smart appliances, which require minimal maintenance and have a wide range of capabilities. Some of the new features in products like refrigerators, which include voice commands to play music, check the weather, manage one’s calendar, and perform other daily tasks. Another example would be washing machines that use AI to detect load size, fabric types, and soil levels and will auto-adjust the optimal wash cycle and amount of detergent.
There is similar innovation in the television category, where it is expected that laser TVs may eventually replace PTVs because they use 30 per cent less energy than PTVs of comparable size (>75 inches), have a better recyclability concept (87 per cent recyclability), and require less material across the supply chain.
Brands
Primus Partners appoints Akasa Air co-founder Neelu Khatri as independent director
Veteran aviation and defence professional joins as independent director
NEW DELHI: Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri, a founding member of Akasa Air, as an independent director, strengthening the consulting firm’s board as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
Khatri brings more than three decades of experience across defence, aviation, aerospace technology and consulting. She was part of the core team that helped build Akasa Air from concept to launch, contributing to what has been widely described as one of the fastest airline scale ups in recent aviation history.
At Primus Partners, she will provide strategic guidance on corporate governance and help steer the firm’s long term growth plans. Her experience of building a start up into a full scale organisation is expected to support the consulting firm as it expands its footprint.
Primus Partners co-founder and chairperson Davinder Sandhu, said the appointment brings valuable expertise to the board. “Neelu’s journey across defence, aviation and consulting brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic thinking. Her experience in rapidly scaling Akasa Air will be invaluable as we continue to grow while maintaining a strong focus on corporate governance,” he said.
Primus Partners, an India headquartered management consulting and solutions firm, has emphasised governance and board oversight since its early days. The company has also taken an unconventional approach by inviting its Gen Z employees to attend board meetings so that younger perspectives can contribute to discussions.
Speaking on her appointment, Khatri said the consulting sector is entering a transformative period shaped by emerging technologies. “The industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI. This is an exciting moment for an Indian origin consulting firm like Primus Partners to expand its product offerings and strengthen its presence globally,” she said.
She added that as the firm pursues ambitious expansion plans, her focus will be on ensuring strong governance frameworks and effective risk management as the organisation scales.
