Citizens make beeline for ACs, fans, cooling neckbands in sauna city

Kolkata: From ACs and coolers to handheld battery-operated fans, USB-charged portable cooling neckbands and ventilated bandanas — cooling appliances are flying off the shelves in Kolkata as the temperature soars. What began as a slow seasonal uptick in late March has turned into a full-fledged surge in sales of cooling products. Retailers say consumers are buying at a pace that has significantly altered expectations for this summer market. But industry players are divided on whether the sudden demand can compensate for prolonged sluggish sales."The market saw poor performance in 2025. While 2026 has remained slow, there has been a surge over the last five-seven days," said a retailer at Khosla Electronics.Several retailers reported stronger demand from rural and semi-urban pockets.At the centre of the demand wave are inverter ACs, helped by longer warranty periods and improved energy efficiency. But technology-driven features are also shaping consumer decisions. Wi-Fi-enabled smart ACs, built-in air purifiers, and PM2.5 filters are increasingly drawing customers. Across Park Street, Esplanade and Gariahat, smaller retailers report brisk sales of handheld mini-fans, battery fans and portable cooling neckbands. Another emerging summer product includes cooling accessories for smart phones, particularly among gaming enthusiasts.However, staying cool is becoming costlier, as well, with entry-level 1.5-ton inverter ACs selling for Rs 38,000 while premium variants go for Rs 50,000. Retailers say prices have risen over the past two weeks amid increasing import and logistics expenses linked to global geopolitical disruptions.