Festive shopping to pinch as Iran war sets AC, TV prices on fire

NEW DELHI: Festive shopping for a new fridge or air-conditioner is set to cost more, with consumer durable makers raising prices as higher component and freight costs, compounded by shipping delays, squeeze margins.Blue Star has raised air-conditioner prices by 8%, managing director B Thiagarajan said. Thomson India plans to raise prices by 10% across categories after Oct, while Intex Technologies is holding off on a broad increase to support festive sales. Haier and Daikin have also raised prices or are preparing to announce increases."Commodity prices have been going up because of war and that has been a big factor," Thiagarajan said. Demand for copper from electric vehicles and data centres was also contributing to pressure, he added.The latest revisions follow increases ahead of summer. Blue Star had raised prices by 8-10% in mid-Feb, while Daikin announced increases of up to 12% from April, depending on the model.