Squeezed by semiconductor shortages and a falling rupee, TV manufacturers are expected to raise prices from January.
Television prices in India are set to rise from January as manufacturers face mounting pressure from a global chip shortage and a sharply weakening rupee. Industry executives said prices of LED and smart TVs are expected to increase between 3 per cent and 10 per cent, potentially reversing recent demand gains seen after GST reductions.
The immediate trigger for the hike is a surge in the cost of memory chips, a key component in modern televisions. Global supplies have tightened as chipmakers prioritise higher margin demand for memory used in artificial intelligence servers, leaving limited availability for consumer electronics such as televisions. At the same time, the Indian rupee has crossed the 90 to a dollar mark for the first time, significantly increasing import costs.
“Prices of LED TV sets will increase by 3 per cent because of shortage of memory chips and weak rupee,” Haier Appliances India President NS Satish told PTI, adding that manufacturers are finding it difficult to absorb the combined impact of higher component costs and currency depreciation. Several brands have already informed dealers about impending price revisions from the new year.
The television industry remains highly exposed to imports, with domestic value addition estimated at only around 30 per cent. Critical components such as open cells, semiconductor chips and motherboards are largely sourced from overseas markets, making prices sensitive to global supply disruptions and exchange rate movements.
Industry executives warned that sustained cost pressures could dampen consumer sentiment in the coming months, particularly in the mass premium and mid range segments. While demand has remained resilient so far, higher prices may force buyers to defer purchases or opt for smaller screen sizes, even as manufacturers attempt to balance margins with market competitiveness.
