Induction, Electric Cookers Fly Off Shelves in Noida as Households Seek Alternative to LPG

A sudden surge in demand for induction cookers is being witnessed in parts of Noida as fears of LPG shortages grow amid the escalating Iran conflict and disruptions in global gas supply chains.

At the bustling Brahmaputra Market in Sector 28, Noida, retailers say customers are rushing to buy alternative cooking appliances, fearing that cooking gas could become scarce or significantly more expensive in the coming days.

Speaking to OneIndia, Ashish Verma of Fame Traders, a kitchen appliances store in the market, said the demand for induction cookers has skyrocketed in just a few days.

"Demand has increased massively. Since morning alone, I have sold around 50 induction cookers, and only two pieces are left in stock," Verma said. "Supplies from companies are also getting affected. When we try to place orders, distributors say the stock is exhausted."

According to retailers, induction cookers-usually sold 20-30% below the printed price-are now being sold close to their maximum retail price (MRP) because of the sudden spike in demand.

Residents Turn to Electric Alternatives

The Brahmaputra Market is surrounded by densely populated residential sectors such as Sector 26, 28 and 29, where thousands of families live in apartment complexes. As uncertainty over LPG availability grows, many households are turning to electric cooking options.

"Customers are coming and saying, 'Gas supply is uncertain, give us an induction cooker quickly,'" Verma said.

Apart from induction cooktops, retailers are also seeing a spike in demand for electric kettles and electric rice cookers, which can serve as backup cooking appliances during emergencies.

Double Burden on Households

However, the shift to electric appliances comes with its own concerns. Residents in Noida's high-rise apartments already pay relatively high electricity tariffs, raising fears of higher monthly power bills if induction cooking becomes the primary option.

Retailers say many customers are aware of this trade-off but still prefer to secure an alternative cooking method rather than risk running out of gas.

Online Platforms Show Delays

A quick check on Amazon and Flipkart shows several induction cooktops either out of stock or showing delivery timelines of 7-10 days, with prices higher than usual in some cases. Many popular brands are currently unavailable for immediate delivery.

Panic Buying Warning

Despite the sudden rush, shopkeepers are urging customers not to panic.

"There is no need to panic-buy," Verma said. "Supplies may take some time, but stock will come back."

Still, the speed at which induction cookers are disappearing from shelves suggests a growing sense of anxiety among consumers, reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when panic buying briefly disrupted supply chains.

For now, markets like Brahmaputra Market still have limited stock left-but if current sales trends continue, retailers warn that even offline stores could soon run out of induction cookers.