A variety of electric fans are on display at a store in Seoul on May 21, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 22 (Korea Bizwire) — After being overshadowed by air-conditioners, electric fans are regaining popularity due to high inflation and increased electricity costs.
Sales of electric fans at E-Mart outlets from April to May 17 showed a growth of 34.3 percent compared to the previous year.
With their wallets becoming slimmer due to high inflation and rising interest rates since last year, local consumers are increasingly favoring fans.
These appliances are relatively inexpensive and consume less electricity.
In fact, sales of fans at E-Mart stores increased by 51.7 percent last year.
Within three days of the government’s announcement to raise electricity charges on May 15, the discount retailer witnessed a strong sales growth of 313.5 percent for fans.
In contrast, the sales growth of air-conditioners remained low at 7.4 percent.
During the same period, sales of energy-saving power strips, which reduce power consumption by interrupting standby power, rose by 8 percent.
Even on the online shopping mall Gmarket, sales of energy-saving power strips for the week of May 11 to 17 surged by 72 percent compared to the previous week and 52 percent compared to the previous year.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
