Singapore haze drives air purifier sales spike

SINGAPORE – Local retailers have seen a spike in air purifier and air-conditioner sales in Singapore in recent weeks as hazy conditions persist across the island.

At consumer electronics retailer Courts, sales volume for air purifiers increased by 600%, and by 50% for air conditioners, between Sept 28 and Oct 12, compared with the same period in 2025.

“Our in-store sales staff and online customer service teams have seen a significant increase in inquiries, with customers frequently asking for recommendations based on room coverage area, filter lifespan and replacement frequency, energy efficiency and multi-functional units,” the company said in a media reply on Oct 12.

Courts added that it has sufficient stocks across its 12 outlets and online platform, which carries both local and international air purifier brands.

Retailer Gain City, in response to queries, told The Straits Times on Oct 12 that it has seen a significant increase in demand for air purifiers as the haze worsened, reflecting growing consumer concerns over indoor air quality.

Demand began picking up in recent weeks, with a particularly drastic surge from Oct 9, it said, adding that sales have since risen by nine times as compared with August when hazy conditions began.

While it has seen a “good increase in online sales” for air purifiers, Gain City also noted that some customers bought and collected their air purifiers in stores, rather than wait for delivery.

It said demand was “particularly strong” over the weekend of Oct 10 and 11, with some models selling out, and some customers even buying display sets so they could take the products home immediately.

Air quality deteriorated that weekend, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading across Singapore entering the unhealthy range overnight on Oct 9, where it has largely remained.

Air quality is considered unhealthy when the PSI is in the range of 101 to 200.

“We completed a stock replenishment last week, but sales have continued at a strong pace,” Gain City said.

The retailer added that it is monitoring its inventory closely and will adjust plans to restock its products according to demand.

Beyond air purifiers, the retailer said demand for related products, such as fans and air-conditioners, has also risen as customers look for ways to keep comfortable in their homes during the haze season.

It added that it has seen “good customer response” to fans with cooling and air purification features.

In a reply on Oct 13, a spokesperson for PRISM+ said it is currently seeing an “unprecedented level of demand” for air purifiers, with some of its models out of stock until November.

So far in October, the smart-tech brand’s air purifier sales have increased by more than six times compared with the same period in September, which also saw a similar step-change from August.

Meanwhile, air-conditioner sales increased by more than 30% in October, compared with the same period in 2025.

PRISM+ said it has plans to expedite its air purifier restocks, with shipments set to arrive over the next few weeks. Its sole air-conditioner model available for sale – the Prism+ Neo – remains in stock.

FairPrice has also seen a “slight increase” in demand for air purifiers and air-conditioners in recent weeks, a FairPrice Group spokesperson said in a media reply on Oct 13.

This is alongside strong demand for fans with built-in air purification capabilities.

Air-conditioner and air purifier stocks remain available at selected FairPrice outlets, the spokesperson said, without disclosing which outlets.

Face masks

There was also “a slight uptick” in demand for N95 masks at its FairPrice and Unity stores, the group’s spokesperson said, adding that it is maintaining a steady flow of regular deliveries to meet demand.

Pharmaceutical chain Watsons saw high double-digit percentage growth in demand for face masks week on week about a month ago, it said in response to queries on Oct 12, without sharing exact figures.

“While demand remains elevated, the pace of growth has moderated in recent weeks,” it said.

In response to the demand, Watsons said it has stepped up the replenishment of stocks, and that stocks are currently adequate in stores and on its online channels to meet customer needs.

At least seven face mask listings, mostly KN95 masks, were marked as “sold out” on Watsons’ online store, according to ST checks on the afternoon of Oct 13.

Other variations of face masks were still listed as available on the website.

While the National University Hospital Pharmacy has seen a “modest increase” in demand for face masks, including N95 masks, current stock levels remain adequate, a spokesperson said on Oct 13 in response to queries.

Checks on the websites of other public health-related pharmacies – NHG Pharmacy, SingHealth Pharmacare and TTSH PharmEzy – show that N95 masks are not listed for sale.

In an update on Oct 9, Singapore’s haze task force said N95 masks will be distributed to eligible Singaporeans who may be more vulnerable to the effects of haze, or who may have limited means of obtaining them when air quality hits “very unhealthy” levels.

Mask vending machines will also be made available at selected public transport hubs and social services offices to supplement the distribution efforts by grassroots organisations.

The task force said there are sufficient stocks of N95 masks in retailers’ warehouses and government stockpiles, and that it works closely with retailers to ensure the availability of N95 masks for the public.