Room heater, geyser, woollens: As temp stays south, Kol shops for warmth
Times of India | 6 January 2026
Kolkata: The biting cold has pushed up demand for heaters, geysers and warm clothing, sending retailers scrambling for more stock to cope with the unexpected rush.
Unlike typical winters in the city, when mornings and nights are cold but daytime temperature remains pleasant, this season has been persistently cold even during the day for the past few days. People can be seen wrapped in woollens even in the afternoons.
Retailers said the sustained cold caught both buyers and sellers off guard. Sales of room heaters surged so much that a large electronics chain inside a mall on C R Avenue nearly ran out of stock. "We are now left with only one room heater," said the store manager. "We do not know when the stock will be replenished. Usually, the demand for heaters is not very high in Kolkata as it does not get extremely cold. But this time, the demand rose suddenly."
Similar scenes played out in traditional electronics hubs on Ezra Street and at Chandni Market, where customers queued up at shops, selling heating appliances. Traders said sales spiked sharply over past week.
"It is after many years that we are witnessing such weather in Kolkata, and that, too, for such a prolonged period," said Arvind Tiwary Baba of The Calcutta Electric Traders' Association. "Sales of room heaters and geysers have been high since the last week of Dec. Many shops are running low on stock."
While prices of most appliances remained largely unchanged, some retailers admitted that limited availability led to delays in delivery. Fresh consignments are expected, but suppliers are also adjusting to the unexpected surge in orders.
Traders selling winter clothing, especially thermal wear, jackets and woollens for children and the elderly, are doing brisk business. At the Wellington Square temporary market for woollens, sellers are pleasantly surprised. "The number of stalls here has dwindled due to low demand but this year is different," said Anita Bhutia, owner of a stall.
Also, parents are rushing to get caps and earmuff for their children. "I make sure my daughter's head and ears are fully covered before she leaves for school in the morning," said Supriti Saha, whose daughter studies at a central Kolkata school.