Which? have reported that AGA Rangemaster have reported a 15% drop in sales over last year.
It has also been widely reported that the sales of washing machines, fridge-freezers, tumble driers and other large domestic appliances in general are also at threat, as the decline in home sales reduces the demand.
An Aga spokesperson said: ‘We have increased market share but the market itself has been affected by the fall in the number of housing transactions, and order levels have recently been significantly below last year.’
AGA Group chief executive William McGrath said: ‘Consumer markets are clearly weak and the impact of the macro-economic environment is being felt. But we are particularly encouraged with the sales of wood burning cookers and stoves as we see the customer taking a more proactive economical and environmental position in the home.’
The Rayburn AGA model is a cooker that also allows people to heat their home. The sales of the Rayburn range were flat, but with consumers focussing on heating bills and low running costs, the company believes the Rayburn range has ‘good prospects’.
Matt Stevens, a Which? expert on domestic appliances, said that, ‘It will be interesting to see how cooker manufacturers respond to the challenges presented by changing consumer demand and the current financial climate.’
The AGA grou sold its foodservice arm for £265 million last year and makes its flagship AGA ovens at a manufacturing operation at Coalbrookdale near Telford, while Rangemaster products are made at Leamington Spa.