In South Africa, Those Who Can Rush To Buy Generators - Sales Up 400%, Months-Long Order Backlogs [View All]

[hatrack]

Good thing those generators don't need gasoline or diesel to run, so that this won't . . . Oh, never mind. Sorry!

ALTERNATIVE power suppliers have reported a rise in demand for alternative power sources – some merchants who sell generators reporting increases in sales of up to 400 per cent.

Game Stores managing director Jan Potgieter said: “There has been a huge increase in the sale of generators since October last year. “But January has been exceptional – our sales increased by 409% on just generators. There has also been an increase on gas-operated equipment and candles.”

Talisman Plant and Tool Hire product and services manager Magda Swanepoel said: “There has been a big demand for generators and as a result we are sold out nationwide. The demand has increased drastically in the last two weeks – we have a backlog of three months.” She said people who placed orders for generators now would only be able to get them in April.

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Meanwhile, sales of candles and gas have also seen an increase lately. “The demand for candles has risen, especially since last week, because electricity has not been dependable,” said Zamo Nzuza, owner of O‘Khule Candles in Johannesburg. Easigas marketing manager Peter Kolarik said: “There has been a turnaround. Many people buy big industrial cylinders and buy more than they need, so there has been a shortage of cylinders.” Kolarik said his company was bringing in more cylinders in anticipation of an even bigger increase in the demand for gas in winter.

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http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n09_24012008.htm