Intense cold has gripped the entire state, including Kolkata, due to a sharp drop in mercury. According to the weather report released by the Alipore Weather Office on January 5, the maximum temperature has touched record lows. The city's maximum temperature that day was 18.4 degrees Celsius, which is 6.7 degrees below normal. Over the past few days, both night and day temperatures have dropped significantly. In this situation, room heater and geyser manufacturing companies are reaping benefits.
Also Read | Kolkata records coldest January day in 15 years as mercury drops to 10.2°C
Elderly parents in their eighties at home are struggling with the cold. From socks on their feet to caps on their heads, they cannot seem to ward off the chill. Room heaters are unavailable at local shops. Quick commerce platforms are also showing "sold out". Therefore, Alok Nandi (name changed) from Shyambazar had come to Chandni Market looking for room heaters. After visiting three to four shops, he found his preferred room heater. And the price he got it for was not available at local shops, as they were taking advantage of the situation and demanding higher prices. The same situation faced Ardhendu Sen (name changed), who recently became a father. A new member joined the family in November.
Chandni Market emerges as winter hotspot
He had come to buy a room heater to protect the little one from the cold. A businessman from Chandni Market said that sales of room heaters and geysers have increased several times this winter. He said 50 room heaters were sold in the last five days. From the end of December until Tuesday, more than 500 room heaters have left his shop. Along with branded companies, local brand heaters are also selling briskly. Another electrical goods retailer said that demand for heaters is increasing in tandem with the mercury drop. He sold more than 20 room heaters by Tuesday evening. Many shops are out of room heaters. The shops are saying new stock will arrive in a day or two.
Inquiries at shops near Metro Gully revealed that heater stock is finished. New items are expected to arrive from the company on Wednesday. A spokesperson for a room heater manufacturing company told Ei Samay, "We could not anticipate that demand for room heaters could increase so much at the beginning of the year. Due to huge demand, we have had to increase our production by up to 10 percent. Along with room heaters, geyser sales have also increased proportionally. Geysers of 5 liters or more capacity, as well as 3-liter instant geysers, are selling like hotcakes."
Also Read | Sensex, Nifty under pressure: experts advise keeping an eye on THESE key stocks on Wednesday
Three major retailer companies in the city claim that geyser sales have increased by about 15-17 percent compared to December last year and the first week of January. According to Calcutta Electric Traders Association convener Arbind Tewari Baowa, "Such weather is being seen in Kolkata after many years, and for such a long duration. Sales of room heaters and geysers have increased since the last week of December. Many shops have virtually no stock left."
