AC, TV prices to rise 5 to 8% from October 1

Consumer electronics and appliance makers are set to raise prices of air-conditioners, LED TVs, washing machines and other products by 5 to 8% from October 1, marking the third round of price hikes in 2026. Companies including Blue Star, Godrej Appliances, Haier, Daikin and Super Plastronics have announced increases of 4 to 10% across categories, citing higher costs of copper, steel, aluminium, crude derivatives, freight and currency volatility, according to a PTI report cited by multiple outlets.

Blue Star managing director B Thiagarajan said AC and deep-freezer prices have already risen 5 to 8% and called it the third increase in 2026. Godrej Enterprises Group business head Kamal Nandi said another industry-wide increase had become 'inevitable' after commodity prices rose 8 to 10% since the previous revision, though he noted dealers and distributors had stocked inventory at older prices that could last one to one-and-a-half months, covering Diwali demand. LG Electronics confirmed a 5 to 7% increase on ACs from October 1, while Panasonic is still evaluating.

Industry executives expect cumulative price increases across some categories to reach 16 to 18% since January. Haier India president NS Satish said the company plans a cumulative 15% increase between now and January, with 5% from October 1, another 5% around December and a further 5% in January if input costs remain elevated.

Update, 1 October 2026: Economic Times reports consumer demand accelerated in the July-September quarter, with AC volumes surging more than 25% year-on-year and refrigerators and washing machines growing 13 to 14%. Godrej's Kamal Nandi told the outlet demand during Independence Day, Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi expanded in double digits, and said the recent price hikes will not impact consumers as trade has more than a month of old-price stock.

Update, 1 October 2026: Times of India adds that Videotex director Arjun Bajaj warned TV prices could rise up to 20% for smaller screen sizes and up to 10% for larger screen sizes after Diwali. Super Plastronics plans a TV price increase of around 7% after October. Panasonic is still evaluating its stance.

Update, 1 October 2026: Times Now adds that LG has hiked AC prices by 5 to 7%, Haier has increased AC prices by 5% and is expected to raise washing machine and TV prices by 2 to 3%, and Godrej, Blue Star and other manufacturers have announced hikes. The outlet notes some stores may still offer units at older prices before the latest revision.