Home appliances from China a hit overseas

Chinese home appliances are garnering significant eyeballs globally because of their increased focus on user-centric innovation and advanced technology, analysts said.

These days, upgraded versions of Chinese robotic vacuum cleaners come equipped with precise mapping technology and mopping functionalities, and these are making daily cleaning routines a breeze for overseas users.

Similarly, air purifiers integrated with various sensors are not only quieter and more energy-efficient but also offer remote control features for one-touch formaldehyde removal and fresh air circulation.

Customs data show that China's home appliance exports grew for 17 consecutive months as of July.

In the first seven months, the cumulative export value of domestically manufactured home appliances was 409 billion yuan ($57 billion), up 18.1 percent year-on-year, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed. The rate of growth has outpaced the overall export growth by 11.4 percentage points.

"China's home appliance industry has developed an edge because of fierce competition over decades from a super-sized domestic market," said Zhang Jianping, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

With a diverse range of offerings that cater to various consumer needs, Chinese home appliance manufacturers have demonstrated agility and adaptability in meeting the demands of international markets, Zhang added.

Traditional large appliances have exhibited robust growth rates, with exports of air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines increasing by 21.4 percent, 25.6 percent and 22.8 percent year-on-year, respectively, according to official data.

While traditional appliances have long been industry stalwarts, the spotlight has increasingly turned toward smart home appliances that offer enhanced connectivity, automation and intelligence.

In a notable trend, smart electric fans have captured the hearts of consumers in the African market.

One such electric fan, produced by Shenzhen Ani Technology Co, caters to cooling, lighting and charging needs, and has become a sensation in over 30 countries across Africa.

Zhao Xiping, the company's general manager, said the multifunctional electric fan has not only resonated with consumers for its versatility, but has also garnered an impressive 70 percent repeat purchase rate.

Chinese home appliance brands are intensifying their presence and market reach in regions across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, as they strategically position themselves to tap into burgeoning demand in these emerging markets, said Xu Hongcai, deputy director of the China Association of Policy Science's Economic Policy Committee.

With sustained demand coming from these regions, Chinese home appliance brands are forging new paths for growth and expansion, Xu added.

However, the Chinese home appliance sector is contending with fierce competition from emerging markets in Southeast Asia and India, which leverage lower labor costs to challenge the dominance of Chinese products in the market, analysts said.

As businesses navigate the impact of emerging markets on their industries, the imperative to invest in research and development and bolster autonomous innovation capabilities is becoming increasingly apparent, Xu said.

Despite the lower labor costs in the aforementioned regions, there still exists a significant gap between these markets and China in terms of industrial efficiency, labor productivity and quality control. Consequently, China's competitive edge in the home appliance sector remains pronounced, he added.