Gas price hike sparks surge in induction cooker sales in Kolkata

(Image: Freepik)

• Electric appliance sales surge in Kolkata after LPG price hike
• Induction cookers, kettles, and utensils see sharp demand rise
• LPG supply uncertainty drives households to seek backup options

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Sales of electric kitchen appliances such as induction cookers have surged across Kolkata after the recent hike in cooking gas prices and growing uncertainty over LPG availability.

Retailers said demand has jumped sharply in major electrical markets like Chandni Market and Ezra Street, with customers rushing to buy induction cookers and other electric cooking appliances as an alternative to LPG, reported Times of India.

Store owners began noticing the spike in sales from Saturday, soon after the Centre announced the hike in cooking gas prices. The increase has been linked to rising global energy costs amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted fuel supply chains.

Manish Khosla, director of Khosla Electronics, told ToI said the surge in demand started on Saturday evening as concerns over higher prices and possible LPG shortages grew.

“People are panicking due to the rise in gas prices and are apprehensive about the unavailability of cylinders. On Saturday, we saw a 60 per cent spurt in sales and the same trend continued on Sunday,” he said.

Khosla said the chain typically sells about 40–45 induction cookers a day across its 86 outlets in the city. “Now the sales have jumped to around 120–130 units daily,” he added.

Retailers said induction-compatible utensils are also selling briskly. Other appliances such as electric kettles, hot plates and electric cookers are witnessing higher demand as well.

Retailers in Chandni Market also reported strong demand for electric rice cookers and kettles as people worry about LPG availability in the coming days.

On Ezra Street, one of Kolkata’s largest markets for electrical appliances, shopkeepers said sales of cooking-related devices had risen sharply over the past few days and could increase further if the supply situation does not improve.