What you need to know

It’s been a challenging year for major domestic appliances with the market growing just 0.5% as a result of a slowing housing market and wavering consumer confidence which is leading to a greater reliance on the replacement market to drive sales.

Major domestic appliances are both a necessity and a major purchase so when a breakdown triggers a new purchase the pressure is on to get a new one fast, and the emphasis is inevitably placed on price and speed of delivery.

The high rate of innovation in the sector and integration of smart technologies is helping to tempt some people to trade up, but the higher proportion of replacement purchases will hold back the more premium end of the market, with relatively few consumers willing to pay for the latest innovations. Meanwhile, research for this Report shows that style/design combined with either price or build quality is the key to deciding which brand of major domestic appliance to buy.

Products covered in this Report

MDAs (Major Domestic Appliances) include the following:

  • Fitted and freestanding

  • Dishwasher

  • Refrigeration appliances, ie fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers including wine coolers

  • Cooking appliances, ie ovens, hobs, cookers using gas and/or electricity

  • Laundry appliances, ie washing machines, tumble dryers and washer-dryers

  • Microwave ovens.

The definition excludes:

  • Major domestic appliances sold via the trade or as part of a housing transaction

  • Small kitchen appliances such as kettles, table-top cookers, food processors, coffee machines

  • Vacuum cleaners and other electrical floor cleaning equipment

  • Irons

  • Cooker hoods and extractor fans

  • Other fitted electrical appliances for kitchens such as grinders, boiling water taps.

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