Households are increasingly searching for ways to simplify their routines. According to the Euromonitor International Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey, in 2022, nearly seven out of 10 global respondents looked for ways to simplify their lives. Busy lifestyles, higher appreciation for work-life balance and the continuous strive to make the home a hub for everything is expected to intensify the search for multifunctionality and convenience in the short to medium term. This article lists the top three ways consumers use home appliances to make their lives easier.
1. Efficient management of domestic chores
Consumers are purchasing bigger capacity and multifunctional appliances, which save time and money and make running errands on a regular basis more efficient. More spacious refrigerators, for example, are rising in popularity as consumers reduce the time taken for grocery shopping and more frequently buy in bulk. Over the last five years, global volume sales of the largest fridges (511-595 litre) recorded a 3% CAGR.
In terms of laundry chores, consumers are leaning towards more environment-friendly and larger capacity laundry appliances, enabling them to run fewer washes and in bulk to save time, water, and electricity. Consumer appliance giants such as LG Electronics and Samsung are already tapping into the eco-friendly market with their products. For instance, LG Electronics introduced a novel Coldwash technology to its large capacity washer/dryers, to complete cycles in 30 minutes, save on heated money, and use less water than conventional washer/dryers[1].
Source: Euromonitor International
[1] https://www.greenmatters.com/p/sustainable-washers-and-dryers
In terms of cooking, consumers are also seeking convenience through the growing demand for unmonitored cooking appliances, especially multifunctional electric pressure cookers (also marketed as multi-cookers). The most novel players in this space are Tefal and Philips, which are expected to make further launches of products such as Tefal Cookeo (also known as Cook4ME) and Philips All-in-One Cooker in the future.
2. Accepting smart technology
Worldwide, households living in large dwellings (five or more rooms) continue to dominate. Large dwellings often mean greater comfort, but with this comes more space to clean. Thus, in their endeavour for simplicity, consumers are opting for smart products that require limited human intervention, such as robotic vacuum cleaners. The intelligent floor mapping technology and capability of these vacuum cleaners can be monitored and controlled from a smartphone (even remotely), and helps consumers save time. While still a niche, retail volume sales of robot vacuum cleaners recorded a 17% CAGR over 2016-2021, with predictions for a 7% CAGR over the forecast period.
Top five brands in robotic vacuum cleaners: 2021
Source: Euromonitor International
3. Seeking independence from professional services
As privacy and individualism are increasingly valued, consumers are actively searching for products that allow them to perform a higher number of tasks themselves without having to depend on services provided by external parties. As a consequence, retail volume sales of personal care appliances recorded a 4% CAGR over the review period. Products such as hair and beard trimmers, hair dryers and hair styling appliances are more common than ever in households, as consumers strive for the beauty salon look. Understanding consumer demand, brands are innovating and launching more innovative products. Dyson’s Airwrap multi-styler is one such product, which allows faster and easier styling of hair and can be used on multiple hairstyles.
The growing use of consumer appliances highlights the top three ways with which consumers are striving to attain greater convenience in their lives. In line with increasingly busy lifestyles, consumers will continue to seek solutions that provide any respite and ease. However, simple living is a philosophy reaching beyond materialistic gains. The change in outlook to achieving these goals through slowing down, mindfulness and more can provide a holistic proposition for simplifying one’s life.