Hanoi’s Dong Tac Street vendors reported a slight increase in sales of evaporative coolers, air conditioners, and other cooling appliances in recent days, yet it falls short of last year’s figures.
“Sales of cooling products like air conditioners and evaporative coolers haven’t improved much compared to last year. People have significantly cut back on spending on these items,” a vendor lamented.
(Illustration: Lao Dong Thu Do Newspaper)
This year’s sales dip compared to the same period last year is a common trend among several electrical appliance supermarkets in Hanoi.
“Sales of fans and cooling appliances are slightly lower than last year. We haven’t reached the peak of the hot season yet, and the weather has been pleasantly mild, so customers aren’t shopping as much as they did last year,” said Phan Phuc, a Media Mart employee on Duong Lang Street.
To boost early summer consumption, many electrical appliance supermarkets in Hanoi, such as Dien May Xanh, Media Mart, and Nguyen Kim, have introduced new models of electrical and cooling appliances at promotional prices to cater to diverse customer needs.
“This year, prices of cooling appliances remain stable, but we offer more promotions. For example, when customers purchase air conditioners from us, we provide complimentary combos and accessories. Customers who buy cooling appliances from us won’t need to spend extra on accessories, and we offer free installation,” said Minh Chien, a Dien May Xanh employee in Tay Ho District.
According to a VOV correspondent’s survey, most stores and supermarkets are offering promotions on installation costs, accessories, and vouchers, extended warranties, interest-free installments, and a focus on e-commerce to enhance their competitiveness in terms of pricing and product variety.
“We offer promotional prices for specific products, and when customers buy certain items, we give attractive gifts,” a representative from one store shared.
“Our store has a ‘buy more, save more’ policy, where customers get a 10% discount when purchasing multiple products, along with other promotional programs,” another store representative added.
“To stimulate consumption, our store has directly reduced product prices and introduced affordable options to cater to a wider range of consumers,” a third representative explained.
However, besides pricing and attractive promotions, consumers are increasingly considering energy-efficient, fast-cooling products that are also environmentally friendly.
“I prefer buying an evaporative cooler over an air conditioner because even if it includes an energy-saving feature, the air conditioner will be much more expensive than other options on the market. On the other hand, with an evaporative cooler, I can choose a product that saves energy and fits my budget,” shared Nguyen Que Anh, a resident of Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
(Illustration: VNA)
Understanding consumer needs, many electrical appliance businesses have introduced and promoted energy-saving inverter technology in their product lines.
Brand and product quality are also crucial factors that consumers consider before making a purchase:
“Besides price, I prioritize product quality. In the south, it’s hot all year round, so buying a low-quality product is impractical,” a customer shared.
Although sales figures for electrical appliances are yet to peak as northern Vietnam enters the early summer season, a prolonged hot weather forecast suggests that demand for refrigerators, air conditioners, and cooling appliances will increase.
While customers have a wide range of options, it’s essential to consider the product’s origin and avoid purchasing cheap, low-quality items that could be dangerous. Instead, it’s advisable to shop at reputable stores to ensure product quality and the best after-sales service.
