Sharmila Sandeep, General Manager - Marketing, Murugappa Group – CG
Sharmila brings over 20 years of extensive brand and marketing leadership across diverse sectors, including roles at Bisleri, ICICI Bank, Pidilite, Hatsun Agro, Radio Mirchi, and Future Group retail. She balances her corporate career with accolades in Painting and Handi-Crafts and is actively involved as a swimming coach, empowering women and children with essential swimming skills.
Sharmila shares, 2024 was a pivotal year for the home appliances sector, particularly for categories like fans and geysers. Consumer preferences shifted significantly towards energy-efficient and smart products, driven by rising electricity costs and environmental consciousness. The industry witnessed a strong demand for 5-star rated appliances, BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) fans, and IoT-enabled geysers, offering greater control, energy savings, and convenience.
The push for sustainable products was further supported by government initiatives promoting energy efficiency and the shift towards higher energy-rating norms. Inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges prompted brands to focus on value-engineered innovations and local sourcing to manage costs while meeting consumer expectations.
For 2025, the home appliances industry is set to ride on three key trends:
Smart Home Integration: Products like smart fans and IoT-enabled geysers that integrate with smart home ecosystems, offering app-based controls and voice-activated features, will become mainstream.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The demand for ultra-energy-efficient BLDC fans and advanced water heaters with eco-modes will grow as consumers continue to prioritize cost savings and eco-friendliness.
Expanding into Tier-2 and Tier-3 Markets: Rising aspirations and better connectivity in smaller cities will drive growth. Tailored marketing strategies and affordable yet premium-quality products will help penetrate these emerging markets.
2024 set the stage for innovation and growth, and we expect 2025 to further accelerate the adoption of smarter, greener, and more consumer-centric solutions in the consumer durables sector.
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