Air purifier, air conditioner sales in S’pore spike amid haze; N95 masks stocks sufficient
Demand picked up in recent weeks, with a particularly sharp surge from Oct 9, a retailer said.
Singapore retailers have witnessed a surge in sales of air purifiers and air conditioners due to ongoing haze affecting the island. Courts, a consumer electronics retailer, reported a 600% increase in air purifier sales and a 50% surge in air conditioner sales between September 28 and October 12, compared to the same period last year.
Staff and online teams have seen a significant rise in inquiries, with customers seeking guidance on room coverage, filter lifespan, replacement frequency, energy efficiency, and multi-functional units. Retailer Gain City revealed a surge in demand for air purifiers as the haze worsened, with sales rising to nine times the level recorded since hazy conditions began in August.
Demand peaked from October 9, with some models selling out, and customers opting to purchase display sets to take home the products immediately. Watsons, a pharmaceutical chain, experienced high double-digit percentage growth in demand for face masks, with most KN95 masks marked as sold out on their online store. The haze task force stated that N95 masks are available in retailers' warehouses and government stockpiles, and mask vending machines will be installed at selected public transport hubs and social services offices to aid distribution efforts.
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