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.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
