"Air Fryers Instead of Refrigerators Are Okay" Small Appliances Popular Amid High Inflation

A customer visiting Electron Land is examining a small home appliance, a heater. (Photo by Electron Land)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As soaring prices lead more consumers to choose home-cooked meals over dining out, small home appliances are gaining popularity. In particular, demand for easily usable devices such as microwaves, air fryers, and coffee makers is surging.

According to industry sources on the 19th, Electronic Land saw a noticeable increase in small appliance sales during the week from the 7th to the 13th. By product category, coffee maker sales jumped 54% compared to the previous year, while toasters (31%) and air fryers (29%) also increased. Small electric heaters and warmers, reflecting seasonal factors, grew by 18% and 19%, respectively.

Hi-Mart also reported that sales of combination ovens and electric grills from the 1st to the 14th rose 30% and 10% year-on-year. Microwaves grew 10% from the 7th to the 13th. A Hi-Mart representative explained, "Since microwaves are products unaffected by seasonal factors, the growth of small appliances like this is a meaningful figure."

Appliance retailers are conducting marketing campaigns reflecting these trends. Hi-Mart is offering discounted prices on cordless vacuum cleaners, rice cookers, and food waste disposers during its biggest annual event, ‘Ssalehama,’ running until the 23rd. Earlier, anticipating continued popularity of small models targeting single-person households, Hi-Mart held an event last month offering kitchen appliances such as coffee machines, food waste disposers, and microwaves at discounts of up to 30%.

Electronic Land is focusing on the increased demand for small appliances by composing more than 45% of the models in its 34th anniversary discount event this month with small appliance items.

An industry insider said, “Large appliances are typically purchased during moving or wedding seasons, so their growth tends to slow during economic downturns. As consumer sentiment continues from summer with purchases like fans instead of air conditioners, and with rising demand for home cafes and home-cooked meals, small appliance sales are rapidly increasing, and the industry is actively responding to this trend.”

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