U.S. Appliance Shipment Statistics Monthly: June 2011

Unit shipments for the core group of major appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, ranges and ovens) were down 5.9% in May 2011 compared to May 2010. Dishwashers and gas cooking appliance units decreased the most, down 12.9% each, while washers increased the most, climbing 5.9%. In terms of HVAC shipments for April 2011, commercial electric storage water heaters were up 17% compared to April 2010. Shipment numbers for the first four months of 2011 show that air-source heat pumps increased the most over January-April 2010, up 12%. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that adjusted Electronics & Appliance Store sales in May 2011 were $8.38 billion, down from $8.42 billion in April 2011. Adjusted Electronics & Appliance Store sales for May 2011 were down slightly from the $8.40 billion reported in May 2010. Electrolux reportedly is closing in on two major acquisitions. Electrolux's plan to acquire the Olympic Group of Egypt was announced last October but was stalled due to political unrest in Egypt. According to Olympic's chief financial Officer, the acquisition will be official by the end of July. Electrolux has recently made an offer to buy Korean appliance company Daewoo Electronics for $530 million.