Sales of premium products<\/a> across categories from smartphones and televisions to water purifiers, refrigerators and ACs grew as much as nine times faster than their overall segmental growth last year, shows the 2022 data for the consumer electronics industry. This demand pattern suggests that mostly the upper middle class and the rich have been buying electronic products despite price hikes - which too were more for the premium<\/a> range - even as the lower income consumers largely stayed away due to inflationary pressures, according to industry executives.
Latest data from GfK<\/a>, the only researcher in India which tracks actual sales, show that while smartphone sales increased 35% by value, the growth was 94% for handsets priced above Rs 30,000. In televisions, sales of premium models (ultra-HD with screen size of 55-inch and above) grew 95%, while the overall television category expanded by 11%.
Sales of premium products<\/a> across categories from smartphones and televisions to water purifiers, refrigerators and ACs grew as much as nine times faster than their overall segmental growth last year, shows the 2022 data for the consumer electronics industry. This demand pattern suggests that mostly the upper middle class and the rich have been buying electronic products despite price hikes - which too were more for the premium<\/a> range - even as the lower income consumers largely stayed away due to inflationary pressures, according to industry executives.
Latest data from GfK<\/a>, the only researcher in India which tracks actual sales, show that while smartphone sales increased 35% by value, the growth was 94% for handsets priced above Rs 30,000. In televisions, sales of premium models (ultra-HD with screen size of 55-inch and above) grew 95%, while the overall television category expanded by 11%.
Similarly, for large appliances, the sales growth rate for the premium range was 45% last year by value, against 29% for the segment. These include products such as 350-litre-plus refrigerators, 1.5-tonne 5-star split ACs, 7.5-kg-plus front-load washing machines and combination microwave ovens.
For small appliances like those used for food preparation, water purifiers, electric water heaters and air coolers, the overall market growth rate was 37% but for the premium range, it was faster at 54%. Premium products have also pushed up the overall sales expansion for the categories.
The premium segment is driving growth as there is an increased demand for bigger capacity, innovative technology and future-ready products, said Deepak Bansal<\/a>, vice-president at LG India<\/a>, the country's largest appliance manufacturer.
\"We have seen some profound changes in consumer behaviour post Covid; consumer preference for bigger capacity due to high storage requirement in refrigerators or big capacity washers for high wash load during weekends...This trend of premiumisation leapfrogged in 2021 and 2022 since earlier it was a gradual increase,\" he said.
Anant Jain<\/a>, head of market intelligence at GfK India<\/a>, said Indian consumers were driven by the value-led approach whereby promotions and premium features would continue to influence sales. The average selling price for the premium segment in some of the categories, such as large-screen TVs<\/a>, has also become more attractive and affordable, he said.
\"However, the pace (of premiumisation) could slow down in 2023 as compared to 2022 as consumers are increasingly seeking out products with premium features without the high-end price tag to combat inflationary pressure. While the growth (of the market) will continue to be more for premium segments, there could be a better time for the mass segment in some categories because consumers will be cautious of global slowdown and its effects,\" said Jain<\/a>.
The value sales growth has been higher than the volume sales (or the number of units sold) for all the categories in 2022 as compared to 2021 even after factoring in a 5-8% price hike, reflecting premiumisation.
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