You will probably have to dig deeper into your pocket for that top-of-the-line LCD TV, refrigerator or any other high-end consumer durable. An over 14% depreciation in the rupee vis-?-vis the dollar this fiscal so far has forced leading manufacturers to revise prices at the top end of each segment by up to 7% to offset fatter import bills.

?Due to a slowdown in demand over the last few months, all players have an inventory of around two months. But once that is drawn down, prices of imported consumer durables and consumer electronics might go up by 4-5% due to the unprecedented appreciation of the dollar against the rupee,? says Pranay Dhabhai, director, Haier India.

Consumer durable imports consist largely of refrigerators costing over Rs 30,000, LCD TVs over Rs 20,000, high-end air-conditioners as well as

washing machines.

According to industry estimates, over 35% of ACs and around 30% of colour TV sets sold in India are imported. Even TV sets manufactured in India have imported panels.

?If the depreciation of the rupee continues, prices of high-end products will go up by another 6-7% as margins continue to be under pressure,? says V Ramachandran, director (marketing), LG Electronics. The company imports the Dios range of refrigerators and steamed washing machines, over and above TV panels.

The rupee on Friday touched 47.30 against the dollar, its lowest since May 2003, immediately after the start of the trading session. However, it bounced back to 46.09, a depreciation of around 14% since the beginning of this fiscal.

?If the rupee depreciation continues, the company will definitely revise the prices of high-end products,? adds R Zutshi, deputy MD, Samsung India Electronics. Moreover, Zutshi feels that if prices rise, consumer spending?hit as a result of terror attacks and low during Shraad?would dampen further, impacting overall growth of the industry.

The untimely arrival of the monsoons has already hit air -conditioner sales. Further, the 5-8% increase in prices of all products in July and August has squeezed the industry?s growth to 10-12% as against the expected 15%. However, manufacturers still hope for growth of 15-18% during the upcoming festive season, if prices

remain stable.