LG Electronics, for instance, more than doubled its dryer sales in 2016, according to industry watchers, while breaking sales records each month during the latter half of last year. (image: LG Electronics)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – The home appliance industry has recently upped growth expectations for the laundry dryer market from doubling this year (compared to 2016) to tripling, if not quadrupling, to 300,000 to 400,000 units to be sold.
Despite the ubiquity of electric or gas dryers overseas, most Korean households still make use of clotheslines and drying racks, methods that are even banned in certain places in the U.S. and Europe.
The market started to see noticeable growth last year in Korea, with the industry estimating a monthly sales record for January 2017. LG Electronics, for instance, more than doubled its dryer sales in 2016, according to industry watchers, while breaking sales records each month during the latter half of last year.
One of the major benefits of using a dryer is of course the convenience. But other factors – including changes in typical apartment layout that include the removal of balconies, and environmental concerns, best marked by increasing concern over fine dust particles – are also contributing to the newfound popularity.
LG and Rinnai currently lead the South Korean market for dryers.
LG first launched a dryer in 2004, and now offers a lineup of nine different models. The company’s dryers use inverter heat pumps, which allow for energy savings of up to 66 percent compared to conventional heating technology, while minimizing damage to clothing.
“Given the recent market growth, we’re expecting dryer sales to soon match that of washing machines (1.5 million units annually),” said an industry official. “Dryers may soon become an essential home appliance that will serve every household.”
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
