"White Goods makers miss targets despite good demand" – What are White Goods ?

November 21, 2012

What are ‘White Goods’ or ‘Whiteware’ ? What are ‘White Sales’?
‘White Goods’ or ‘Whiteware’ basically refer to two groups of household items:

Household linens

Household linens like Handkerchief, bed sheet, towel, pillow, etc. These were originally were/are made of white cotton or linen fabric, thus were referred to as White Goods.

Household appliances

Household appliances such as the Washing machine, Air conditioner, Microwave oven and Refrigerator, etc. These products were/are often factory-finished in white enamel and thus were referred to as White Goods. Now, they are available in other colors but still they are known as White Goods or Whiteware.

“White Sales”

Sales of household linen in a departmental store where inventory of white goods such as sheets, towels, bedspreads, pillowcases and other linens on sale.

What are “Brown Goods”?

Brown Goods are Electronic domestic appliances like TV, radio, video recorders, etc. Since they were were traditionally finished in brown due to their wooden or Bakelite make, they were known as Brown Goods.

Difference b/w ‘White Goods’ and ‘Brown Goods’:

‘White Goods’ are relatively high-priced, heavy, and slow-moving electronic goods whereas ‘Brown goods’ are relatively light and low-priced and fast-moving electronic goods.
In general, high-end technical skills are required to repair the complex electronics circuits based brown goods, whereas practical application specialized knowledge is needed in servicing the white goods.