Charger light market heats up as load shedding increases
Demand for charger lights has increased at stores. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Frequent load shedding has increased demand for charger lights in the capital’s electronics markets. As demand has risen, prices have also increased within a few weeks. In some places, the price of the same type of charger light has increased by Tk 200 to Tk 300.
Amid the intense heat, buyers are crowding markets to purchase charger lights, AC DC lights and portable fans as alternative sources of light and cooling when electricity goes out. This picture was seen during visits to various electronics markets and sidewalk shops in Dhaka.
People involved in the market said prices are rising because demand has suddenly increased while supplies remain limited. Sellers said higher import costs have also pushed up product prices at the wholesale level.
Prices rise by Tk 200 to Tk 300 in just a few weeks
A visit to the markets found that charger lights that sold for Tk 500 a few weeks ago are now being offered at Tk 700 to Tk 750 for similar products. Some stores are charging even more.
Nurul Islam, a seller at an electronics products store in Mirpur, said there is not enough good quality merchandise available in the wholesale market. He said even the products that are available have to be purchased at higher prices.
He claimed, “Customers want good quality lights. But low priced products are more widely available in the wholesale market. AC DC lights are now selling the most.”
Sabbir, another seller in the same area, said sales of charger lights have increased compared with before because electricity is going out frequently. He said charger lights with fans or adjustable features are particularly in demand.
Sabbir said, “After sales increased, prices were raised at the warehouses themselves. We also have to buy them at higher prices. When we ask wholesalers why prices have increased, they say import costs have gone up. Now prices are increasing almost every week.”
Additional costs for buyers
The pressure from rising prices is also being felt by ordinary consumers. Mahbub, a student, came to a market in Mirpur to buy a charger light. He said load shedding is disrupting his studies at night.
Mahbub lamented, “Even without a fan, somehow we can manage, but we need light for studying. That is why I came to buy a charger light. A friend of mine bought a light for Tk 600 last week, but today they are asking Tk 900 for the same light.”
Arafat, another buyer in Mirpur, said he bought a charger light for Tk 500 for his home last month. Now he cannot find a similar light for less than Tk 700.
He expressed his frustration, “Someone at the office told me that a charger light with a fan would be available for within Tk 1,000. But after coming to the market, I found that some stores are asking as much as Tk 1,800.”
Demand exists but products are unavailable
A visit to the markets found that not only have prices increased, some stores also do not have enough charger lights to meet demand. Sellers said well known and branded products are unavailable at many stores.
As a result, many buyers are being forced to purchase products from unfamiliar brands or relatively lower quality products. This has also raised concerns about product durability and quality.
People involved in the market said that if the load shedding situation continues for a long time, demand could increase not only for charger lights but also for alternative electricity related products such as IPS systems, portable fans and generators. They warned that if there is a gap between demand and supply, prices of these products could rise further.
The impact of frequent load shedding is not limited to people’s daily lives. Its effects are now clearly visible in the electronics market as well. Market insiders believe that the additional pressure on the market for alternative lighting products may continue until the electricity situation improves.
