Air conditioner sales up 26.7% in first 2 months on Olympics

China sold 11.34 million air conditioners in the first two months of 2008, up 26.7% from a year earlier, sources said.

The booming sales came as a result of rising market demand, especially boosted by the forthcoming Beijing Olympics, analysts said.

The Game is estimated to boost domestic air conditioner sales by 18% this year. Chinese air conditioner makers' focuses on domestic market also contribute to the rise as a stronger yuan and barriers to some foreign markets have squeezed margin from exports.

Haier<600690>, a leading player in China's household electronics market, has tried to raise sales by brand building, expanding sales channels and utilizing Olympics-related opportunities, according to Wang Youning, a company executive.