Appliance makers advised to harness price rises to fund change

Home appliance manufacturers should utilize the latest round of price increases for technological innovation and promote their shift toward high-end products, analysts said on Thursday.

The price increase of home appliances - from televisions to air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines which started late last year - is still continuing, they added.

Xiaomi Corp announced last week it would raise the prices of its 48-inch and 55-inch HD televisions by 300 yuan ($43). In November, LeEco announced it would increase the prices of some TV sets by 100 yuan and some others by 300 yuan.