Customers shop at the Thien Hoa electronics store in HCM City. People are flocking to buy air conditioners to ward off the heat in the southern region. — VNA/VNS Photo Van Khanh

HCM CITY (VNS)  — Consumers are flocking to electronic shops and supermarkets to buy fans, air conditioners and other electronic products to ward off the heat in the southern region.

Shopping at an electronics shop on Xô Viết Nghệ Tĩnh Street, Thanh Hải of Bình Thạnh District said he was buying an air conditioner because of the higher temperatures. Another customer at the shop, Thanh Trúc of Thủ Đức District, said he had bought a water misting fan to cope with the heat.

A representative of Nguyễn Kim Electronic Appliance Centre said sales of air conditioners, refrigerators, fruit juicers and blenders had increased significantly compared to the same period last year.

Sales are expected to continue to increase as the heat wave is predicted to reach its peak in a few weeks, he said.

According to electronic shops, this is the best time to buy such products before the peak season’s higher prices.

Traders said fan brands, including KDK, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Asia, are priced from VNĐ300,000 (US$13.45) to VNĐ1 million for popular ones and VNĐ1 million to VNĐ3 million for hi-end ones.

Customers are paying more attention to product quality and durability, according to shop owners. They also prefer energy-efficient air conditioners.

The most popular are 1-1.5 HP air conditioners from Toshiba, Daikin, LG, Panasonic and Reetech, with prices between VNĐ8 million and 12 million.

With the hot and dry season expected to be more severe this year, electronic shops expect sales of refrigeration products to increase strongly.

New products and promotions to attract shoppers have been launched by shops in collaboration with producers.

At Nguyễn Kim Electronic Appliance Centre, for instance, customers buying air conditioners from March 11 to 31 will receive a free guarantee for an additional year as well as a maintenance package.

It will also discount up to 30 per cent on fans, juicers, blenders and refrigeration products, and offer freebies. - VNS