(Yicai) Dec. 1 -- China’s sales of electric heaters have rebounded since last month as winter temperatures sink.

Sales of electric heating appliances surged 54 percent in the week ended Nov. 19 from a year ago, after jumping 20 percent the week before, according to data from Beijing-based All View Cloud Data Technology. In the first 10 months of this year, sales fell 49 percent year on year.

The main markets for electric heaters are south of the Yangtze River, regions where households do not have access to government-supplied central heating. 

Manufacturers are bringing new products to market as well. There has been high demand since last month for heated kickboards, desks, and even chopping boards, a manager at electronics retailer Suning.Com told Yicai, adding that sales of heated tables have surged 64 percent.

Sales of high-priced heating systems have also climbed. During the Double 11 shopping festival last month, Suning doubled its sales of central heating and hot water storage systems, the person said.

Sales of electric foot warmers almost tripled after temperatures dropped, according to a vendor on group-buying site Pinduoduo, who added that annual sales could reach 500,000 units.

The product is made in China’s south-central Hunan province, which is also the biggest target market even though sales have risen in other places such as Guangdong, Jiangxi, Hubei, and Chongqing too in recent years. The production hub has almost 100 big and small vendors and their combined sales have jumped about 30 percent year on year, the person said.

Some sellers of electric heating appliances are exploring overseas markets too. Luckyway Home Appliances has had good sales in South Korea this year, said Li Mingyang, general manager at the Zhongshan-based firm. Sales prices rose slightly from last year thanks to innovative designs, the he added.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine