Air fryer sales rising at Currys as families try to save energy

HOUSEHOLDS are buying air fryers and eco-friendly washing machines as they scramble to cut their energy bills, boosting sales at Currys.

The electronics retailer said shoppers were choosing appliances that use less energy to run, with the company experiencing a 500pc surge in sales of air fryers compared to last year.

Studies claim that air fryers are twice as energy efficient as ovens. Microwave sales are also up 30pc on last year at Currys, the retailer said. Microwaves also use less energy than ovens.

Alex Baldock, chief executive of Currys, said: “Washing machines are another example of where customers have been happy spending more and trading up to more expensive products, because they understand that they’re more energy efficient.

“So the total cost of that washing machine to them over the washing machine’s life is going to be lower because it’ll be more energy efficient.”

Families are battling to keep costs down in a year in which energy bills have spiralled, with an average household facing an annual bill of £2,500 currently, compared to £1,277 in October 2021. This is expected to rise to £3,000 in April.

Currys said the stronger demand for appliances meant its UK business performed better than expected in the 10 weeks to Jan 7, offsetting a hit in its Nordics business, where rivals were racing to offload stock at fire-sale prices.

This meant it was not changing its profit forecasts for the full year. Shares in Currys jumped by almost 13pc, as investors cheered the move, coming after two profit warnings last year.

Mr Baldock pointed to further signs of brightness, saying Currys was starting to see some of its costs coming down, including freight costs.

He said he was also expecting energy cost inflation to come down, which could point towards less pressure on retailers this year.