Why Indians are buying more cold drinks, ice creams than ACs, fridges this summer

As temperatures soar across India, it's a no-brainer to witness an increase in demand for air conditioners, coolers, and refrigerators to beat the heat.

However, that's not the case this year - instead of spending on the above-mentioned appliances, people in India are rushing towards instant cooling solutions like cold drinks, ice creams, and dairy-based products, showcasing a higher spike in their demand.

Industry experts say the country is seeing a split in consumer behaviour this summer - one driven by affordability, changing spending priorities and rising product costs.

Cold drinks and ice creams see a huge demand

The ongoing heatwave has significantly boosted sales of soft drinks, ice creams and ready-to-drink dairy beverages across India.

Beverage companies and dairy brands have reported strong growth, particularly through quick commerce and urban retail platforms.

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According to industry executives, products such as cold coffees, milkshakes and flavoured dairy drinks are witnessing particularly high demand during evening hours, with some companies saying these beverages are increasingly competing with traditional carbonated soft drinks.

Manufacturers have also reportedly revised sales targets upwards as consumption trends continue to exceed expectations during the peak summer season. The April-to-June quarter remains the most crucial period for beverage and ice cream companies, often accounting for nearly half of annual sales.

Why consumers are choosing smaller purchases

Experts believe consumers are prioritising low-cost, immediate relief products over expensive appliances.

Cold beverages and ice creams offer affordable ways to cope with extreme temperatures, while purchases such as air conditioners and refrigerators involve significantly higher spending. In fact, rising inflation, fuel prices and increased manufacturing costs have also affected consumer sentiment.

As a result, many households appear to be delaying or reconsidering purchases of large cooling appliances despite rising temperatures.

Shockingly, AC and fridge sales fail to match expectations this summer

While the demand for cooling appliances has not collapsed entirely, growth has remained below industry expectations this summer.

Reports suggest that prices of air conditioners and refrigerators have increased by roughly five to 15 per cent due to rising costs of raw materials such as copper and aluminium, supply chain pressures and currency-related import expenses.

Industry executives say these price hikes have made buyers more cautious, with consumers now comparing energy efficiency, financing options and long-term electricity costs more carefully before making purchases.

Some companies have also indicated that overall demand has fallen short of initial summer projections despite repeated heatwave conditions across several states.

Regional weather patterns have also significantly influenced sales

The cooling appliance industry has additionally faced uneven weather conditions in some parts of India.

Earlier periods of unseasonal rain and relatively milder temperatures in southern and eastern regions slowed appliance sales during parts of the summer season. Industry estimates from earlier months suggested that air-conditioner sales had weakened sharply in several regions before temperatures intensified later.

In contrast, beverages and ice creams continued to maintain stronger momentum nationally because of their lower price points and everyday accessibility.

Are our summer consumption patterns changing?

This summer’s demand pattern reflects a broader shift in consumer priorities. While extreme heat is certainly increasing spending on cooling products, affordability appears to be shaping where consumers choose to spend.

For many households, grabbing a cold drink or ordering ice cream is proving easier than investing in expensive appliances whose prices have steadily risen.

As heatwave conditions continue across several parts of India, companies in both sectors are closely watching whether consumer sentiment improves in the coming weeks.