Leading consumer durable players are set to hike prices of air-conditioners by 5-8 per cent effective October 1, ahead of the peak festival buying period. Some players will also increase prices of LED TV, washing machine and refrigerator portfolios, while others are evaluating the timing of price hikes in these categories.
Companies pointed to challenging environment due to sustained rise in costs of key raw materials such as copper, steel and aluminium, crude derivatives and adverse currency exchange movement. While some believe the latest round of price hikes could dampen buying sentiments, others said with early stocking by retailers, consumers are unlikely to see the full impact of hikes during the festival period.
NS Satish, CEO, Haier Appliances India, “We are increasing prices of air-conditioner portfolio by 5 per cent, while 3-4 per cent price hike will be taken in other categories including LED TVs, washing machines and refrigerators. One would have wanted to postpone the decision to hike prices given the upcoming festival period, but the cost pressures due to higher costs of commodities, crude derivatives and volatility in exchange rate have intensified.”
According to sources, LG Electronics India has told trade partners that its AC portfolio prices will be increased by 5-7 per cent from October 1 but no decision has been announced regarding other product categories. Voltas has also informed trade partners that it is hiking prices by 5-7 per cent of room air conditioner portfolio due to a challenging cost environment. Blue Star MD B Thiagarajan confirmed that the company is hiking prices by 5-8 per cent from October 1.
Since January, the consumer durable sector has had to take more than one round of price hikes triggered by the West Asia conflict.
Kamal Nandi, Business Head and EVP-Appliances Business, Godrej Enterprises Group said, “Commodity costs are hardening further. Since the last price hike taken, inflation has been to the tune of 8-10 per cent. Hence, an industry wide price hike between 5-7 per cent across categories is inevitable. We are evaluating the timing of the price hikes and in some categories it will be effective October 1. Customers will have the festival window to buy at old prices as trade partners have line stocks for roughly about a month.”
LED TV makers such as SPPL and Videotex are also raising prices due to higher memory chips and freight costs. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, said that the company has planned to take a 10 per cent price hike in October. Arjun Bajaj, Director, Videotex added, “LED TV prices for smaller screen sizes could increase by up to 20 per cent, while larger screen sizes could see an increase of up to 10 per cent. Consumers are likely to see a new base price for consumer electronics after Diwali.”
Published on September 26, 2026
