Air Pollution Changes Home Appliance Market

Published on 2018/03/04 | Source

Toxic smog in Korea is changing the home appliance market. Air purifiers, once seen as a luxury or niche item, have hit the mainstream, selling nearly 2 million units a year.

Humidifiers, dehumidifiers and steam closets now have air purifying function as a matter of course, and tumble dryers are selling like hot cakes now that people are reluctant to expose their washing to the open air.

The biggest shift is in air purifiers becoming essentials in many homes along with TVs, washing machines, and refrigerators. Their sales first exceeded 1 million units in 2016 and are expected to reach 2 million this year.