Amid the soaring demand for cooling products as the summer heat sets in Germany, Chinese enterprises have won growing recognition from local customers by rapidly responding to market demands, leveraging their well-established local retail and logistics networks.
Since late June, a heatwave has gripped Germany, triggering a spike in the sales of air conditioners and electric fans.
According to a recent report by the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, data from the major online retail platform Otto shows that sales of fans and air conditioners so far this year are already more than double sales in all of 2025, leaving some retailers scrambling with depleted inventories.
At a distribution center in Dusseldorf in western Germany, orders for portable air conditioners have seen a significant uptick. To cope with the surging demand, the center has increased its delivery workforce, while proactively communicating delivery schedules with customers to ensure timely arrivals.
"We can deliver our products on the same day or at least the next day. Meanwhile, we offer a one-stop service. When customers order an air conditioner, installation is included. We'll deliver and install the new unit, and if customers wish to return or recycle old appliances, we will take them away, ensuring a seamless delivery," said Sehil Oztuerk, head of the Dusseldorf distribution center of Joybuy, the European online retail arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com.
For many German consumers, delivery efficiency and the comprehensive "delivery-plus-installation" service provided by Chinese companies have been warmly welcomed.
"I think the experience was excellent and very user-friendly. The delivery was super fast. It was a huge surprise for me because I thought I would have to wait a long time, but it actually arrived the next day. The staff were also very friendly," said Metzner, a local consumer.
Several German media outlets have noted that the ability to respond swiftly to surging market demand is a key factor enabling Chinese companies to stand out during this heatwave-driven consumption spree.
"Since we have consistently invested in local operations in Europe, including the development of local warehouse networks, logistics centers, and after-sales services, we have been able to successfully absorb this sudden wave of demand. I believe this is a clear reflection of our long-term strategic layout capabilities," said Wang Xilong, head of the home appliances division at Joybuy.
Industry experts point out that Chinese enterprises are building their long-term competitiveness in the European market by refining their local operational systems, leveraging highly efficient supply chains, and delivering premium customer service.
"It (the price) still is the main attraction, but I think that the other areas to do with supply chain, to do with customer service particularly, are becoming much, much more important. And in the medium-to-long term, if you want to establish loyalty, customer loyalty, those factors are absolutely fundamental," said Richard Hyman, a senior retail industry expert in the UK.
Chinese firms respond to soaring demand for cooling products as heatwave grips Germany
