Manuela Soffientini, President of APPLiA Italia, presented the trends of the various sectors represented by the Italian association of household appliance manufacturers. The major domestic appliances mark a sell-out decrease in both volume (-2%) and value (-2.4%) from January to September, a result that will be plausibly mitigated by a positive year-end forecast. In particular, the sales analysis shows variability and a lack of homogeneity: especially refrigerators (-5.7%) and washing machines (-2.1%) “suffer”, while the cooking sector sees growing the proposals with a high level of innovation. In the washing sector there is a significant double-digit increase in the tumble dryers (+21.1%). As regards to the small household appliances, the decline in volumes is offset by a slight increase in value. This is an area where various aspects related to multi-channeling and promotions weigh heavily. The theme of the promotions, common to all categories of household appliances, confirms that the price actions continue to have a strong influence on the market with the consequent penalization of the full appreciation of the most efficient and innovative products. As regards to the hoods, the Italian hood market should close 2018 with a slight increase in volume of about +1%. Finally, the professional equipment sector showed positive dynamics both in Europe and in the United States, confirming its export vocation.
The performance of the components
Daniele Pianezze, head of the Components Group, showed that in 2018 there was a contraction in the components sales that affected almost all the sectors in a more or less marked way. In the third quarter, demand was discontinuous, influenced by the seasonality of some types of products. The growth (in volume and in value) linked to the induction hobs continues, even if less marked than in the previous years, with a strong research on the Flexi-zone surfaces. Also the vitroceramic hobs are growing: despite the growth in induction, they have continued to maintain a significant role in terms of volumes and turnover through the push of new touch and aesthetic solutions. The gas cooking sector reconfirms a slowdown in its growth in volumes, but sees a strengthening in the value of the built-in appliances thanks to the search for value-added solutions (Gas on Glass, electronic displays, new multi-step taps and special burners). The ovens segment in the electronic version maintains good sales levels with a particular increase in steam cooking and pyrolytic ovens. The free-standing cookers continue to decline due to a preference for built-in appliances in Europe and a situation in the Middle East and North Africa where the changes in legislation and the geopolitical situation are slowing down the market of these products. The washing sector has also shown slowdowns in growth and an increasingly marked focus on the cost reduction, but there are positive data in the dryer sector.
