Merchandisers have recorded a 30% to 40% fall in sales of split air-conditioning (AC) units at some of hypermarkets, Gulf Times has learnt.
Displays at the appliances section also show that only a few brands are being offered at discounted prices. Similarly, sales of window air-conditioners remained low even as temperatures are expected to rise further this summer.
According to a merchandiser, even before the onset of the summer season, stores usually offer discounts and “best price” promos for both split-type and window-type AC units.
“But compared to 2015, only a few promotional discounts were offered before the summer season this year,” he said, adding that recent “rightsizing” of employees in some companies in Qatar in the previous months “may have discouraged people to spend.”
But the merchandiser noted that most appliances like ACs, freezers, and refrigerators were manufactured to have a longer product life cycle. “Product warranty,” he noted, “also contributes to low disposal rates.”
However, the merchandiser said there was a 10% increase in sales of window-type AC units. “Perhaps people have opted to buy window-type AC units because prices are lower than the split ones. One brand costs only QR999 for a 1.5 tonne window AC unit,” he said.
While window-type AC units are less expensive than the split-types, “budget-conscious” consumers have to consider the requirements of the flats or buildings where they are living, according to a manager of an air-conditioner and contracting company.
He said most of the newly-constructed houses in Qatar now use split ACs, especially if the owners prefer to have the AC unit’s air handler and condenser located outdoors to avoid the noise generated by a window-type AC, which has the condenser
inside the unit.
Despite low sales, the merchandisers said they continue to get orders from regular customers like contracting companies and some offices “that usually buy one or two split-type AC units on a regular basis.”