Amid a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) triggered by ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Indian consumers are increasingly turning to induction cooktops as an alternative cooking solution. This surge in demand has been particularly evident across major cities, where both e-commerce platforms and brick-and-mortar retailers report a significant uptick in sales of electric cooktops, despite rising prices and rapidly depleting inventories.
The disruption in LPG supply has sent ripples through the domestic cooking appliance market. Rajendra Gandhi, Managing Director of Stovekraft, which owns the popular cookware brand Pigeon, revealed that the company has witnessed a remarkable four-fold increase in weekly sales of induction cooktops via e-commerce channels since tensions escalated. Currently, Stovekraft manufactures around 200,000 induction cooktops at its facility in Harohalli, Karnataka, and plans to scale up production further in the coming financial year to meet growing consumer demand.
In metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, the prices of induction cooktops from brands such as Pigeon and Prestige have surged between 10% and 30% compared to 2024 retail prices. This price inflation reflects the supply-demand imbalance as consumers scramble to secure these appliances amid concerns over LPG cylinder shortages. Retail stores in Chennai have been especially hard-hit, with many outlets in key commercial areas like Anna Salai, Adyar, Choolaimedu, and T. Nagar reporting stockouts and only accepting orders for next-day home deliveries. Some stores that still have inventory have observed sharp sales spikes over the past few days.
The urgency among consumers is palpable. Amudha Sundar, a Chennai resident, recounted her difficulties in acquiring an induction cooktop, which forced her to travel a considerable distance with her son to finally purchase one. Many others share this sentiment, rushing to buy induction cooktops as a precautionary measure in case they run out of LPG cylinders at home. A local appliance store owner, A. Rayappa, described this surge as unprecedented, noting that over 100 units were sold in just two days, with dealers steadily increasing prices in response to demand.
For families accustomed to relying on LPG cylinders, the uncertainty is unsettling. S. Alarmelmangai, who supports a household of six including senior citizens and children, explained that their current LPG cylinder has already been in use for 21 days. After failed attempts to book a replacement cylinder, she purchased an induction cooktop at a cost of ₹2,000, despite its relatively high price, to ensure they have a reliable backup cooking method.
Retailers in Chennai report that the recent spike in sales contrasts sharply with the relatively subdued demand over the past two years. S. Jayaprakash, an appliance store owner, noted that while sales were low previously, the store sold 40 induction cooktops in just two days recently. The products typically range between ₹1,500 and ₹3,500, and manufacturers have promised stock replenishment within four days to cope with the surge.
Similar trends are evident in Coimbatore, where J. Sathish, managing partner at J. Engineering Agencies, reported that demand for single and double burner induction stoves has more than doubled. Consumers are displaying less brand loyalty, prioritizing availability over specific brands. Sales, which used to average five to six units daily, have climbed to 12-13 units. Sathish highlighted that this pattern holds true across both online and offline channels.
Institutional buyers are also contributing to heightened demand. Sathish Nair, chairman of EssEmm Corporation, which produces kitchen appliances, commented that about 95% of their products use electricity, and customers are purchasing whatever is available in a state of panic. As a result, 30% to 40% of EssEmm’s stock has been depleted, and the company is grappling with escalating working capital needs to ramp up production swiftly.
Contrasting the widespread demand in southern and western India, a Delhi-based kitchen appliance manufacturer, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that while there is a substantial inventory pipeline, the manufacturer has yet to fully experience the impact of the sudden demand spike for electric kettles and similar appliances. This suggests that some regions or product categories may still have buffer stock, though this may change rapidly as the supply situation evolves.
In eastern India, Kolkata has witnessed a significant rise in induction stove prices, with increases of ₹400 to ₹500 in recent days. Retailers and distributors report a threefold spike in