Sunil Khanchandani, Director ofAlonsa, shares that smartphone-connected energy-efficient products are trending in the consumer market.

Excerpts from the interview:

What are the current trends and preferences in the consumer electronics market?

The consumer home appliances market is driven by several different trends, but the main shift is towards the desire for smart home appliances purchases. The current consumer base has developed new requirements over the years in their choice of purchases, which primarily require greater connectivity, built-in apps, WiFi, energy-efficient, less CO2 emissions, amongst other advancements in their home appliances. There is also a shift towards an increasing demand towards health-oriented appliances. The consumer base in the UAE market nowadays is very well aware of global trends and they are catching on. Just last year, 2.94 million units of consumer appliances were sold in the country. The sales are expected to reach 3.2 million by year-end and four million by 2019. Home appliances brands are focusing heavily on innovation to satisfy the changing needs and requirements of their customer base.

What is the market size of consumer and home appliances?

The current global market size for consumer and home appliances is close to $178 billion, out of which the UAE contributes roughly $16 billion. This includes the domestic demand and the re-export market. Therefore, the role of the UAE is quite significant as it nearly holds 9 per cent of the global market share.

Tell us about the technological advancements and how it has made an impact on public preferences?

The innovation that is taking place goes hand-in-hand with the ever-changing needs and requirements of the consumer when it comes to buying home appliances nowadays. The consumer is looking for a product that is primarily energy-efficient whilst being operated and connected or linked to their gadgets, ideally their smartphone. Nowadays the consumer not only looks at the brand or price, but instead places great emphasis on its functionality in a digital environment. Being able to access and control appliances with simple features, such as voice commands and linking it to an app plays a significant influential role in their purchasing decisions.

Which category of home appliances have top notch sales?

In the local home appliances market, smart washing machines and air conditioners would be the appliances that generate the most sales revenues.

How do you foresee the future growth of the UAE's consumer electronics/appliances market?

The growth of the electronics and appliances market in this region is definitely technology-driven in different product categories - be it in washing machines or refrigerators. The consumer is looking for smart home appliances as opposed to the traditional mainstream appliances. They are willing to invest in these purchases, especially with the increase in purchasing power and awareness in improving their lifestyle. Growth is also being seen in different distribution channels, but especially in e-commerce. The home appliances global market value is close to $320 billion globally out of which India, China and the Middle East are the greatest contributors. Within the Middle East, the UAE surely contributes a significant share.

Modern appliances

Alonsa was established in order to develop a range of high-quality appliances and consumer electronics for global markets. Its products have a reputation based on quality standards that start from the making of a product from its initial design via all manufacturing stages up until to consumer service. The brand represents a family of home appliances and consumer electronics with competitive pricing and high-quality products as a result of incorporating the latest technological advances. Over 20 years of experience and presence in the market back the performance of Alonsa products, which have always stood out for their quality, technology, design, and price competitiveness. The range of products comply with the most stringent international safety standards, and also combine traditional quality with an advanced design placed at the service of functionality, in order to make day-to-day tasks easier. Alonsa has developed a network of local dedicated distributors for effective marketing of its products in potential markets of the world. The company invests in international manufacturing tie-ups to add value and
thereby ensuring maximum competitiveness.

Copyright © 2018 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.