The current heat wave and high humidity have boosted demand for summer items like air conditioners, electric fans and swimming gear.Mike Laidman reports
[Slug] Nohyeong-dong, Jeju City

This is the air conditioner section of a home appliance store in Jeju City.
The section is crowded with people looking to buy appliances to help combat the back-to-back days of 30 degree-plus heat.

INTERVIEW
Park Gyeong-suk / Ido-dong, Jeju City
Since I live on the top (5th) floor I had to spray water on the rooftop. But I couldn't stand it any more and came to buy an air conditioner.
<인터뷰 : 박경숙/제주시 이도동>
"집이 5층이다 보니까 너무 더워서 물도 뿌리고 해봐도 못 견디겠더라고요. 그래서 에어컨 사러 왔어요."

[Slug] Air conditioner sales doubled, installation being delayed

As the humid days and tropical nights continue, sales of air conditioner units have more than doubled compared with a year earlier.

But buyers are having to wait three to ten days for installation as workers cannot keep up with demand. More than 100 electric fans sell daily at the store, which is double that of last year.

INTERVIEW
Kim Min-ho / Representative, home appliance store
Customers have to wait 3 to 10 days for A/C installation. We fill our warehouse with fans every day, but by the evening, they’ve sold out.
<인터뷰 : 김민호/○○가전제품 팀장>
"찾는 분들이 많아서 설치 받는 기간도 짧게는 3~4일에서
벽걸이형은 길게는 열흘까지 걸리고 있습니다.
선풍기도 그날 들어온 수량보다 더 많이 판매돼서 저녁에는 물량이 없어서 판매를 못 하는 경우도 있습니다."

Swimming gear, like tubes and bathing suits, are also selling like hotcakes with the start of the summer break and vacation season.

INTERVIEW
O Sun-mi / Customer
My kids are on summer break and it's so hot these days. We’re here to buy swimming suits.
<인터뷰 : 오순미 현호준/제주시 노형동>
"아이가 방학 중이라서 요즘 너무 뜨겁잖아요. 폭염이라서
물놀이 가려고 수영복 구매하러 나왔어요."

[Slug] Swimming gear sales up 60%
High demand expected through mid-August

Sales of swimming gear have soared more than 60 percent from last year, which has lead to a sales boost at big supermarket chains. Distribution insiders anticipate that demand for swimming items will continue until mid-August.

INTERVIEW
Kim Do-yun / Representative, supermarket chain
Sales of swimming items are up more than 60 percent compared to last year. The summer break is contributing to this boost.
<인터뷰 : 김도윤/○○마트 영업총괄>
"물놀이 용품은 전년 대비 60% 신장을 보이고 있고요.
향후 방학으로 인해 추가적인 매출 신장이 기대되고 있습니다."

[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

With the sweltering summer heat showing no signs of stopping, stores are enjoying the increased demand for these summer items.
Mike Laidman, KCTV