Electric blanket sales surge 67% in Europe, here's the reason

As Europe is bracing for a difficult winter, the sales of electric blankets from China, embedded with thin electric wires that disperse heat once plugged in, are up 67% from a year earlier.

According to reports, online searches for the products have climbed almost 470%.

Daily inquiries from European buyers have increased fivefold, and most people request urgent shipping, according to China's Shenzhen-based company. The company expects to deliver over 10,000 blankets to the continent in the next month.

Europe is bracing for a difficult winter as soaring natural gas prices and a supply crunch driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine prompt governments to draw up energy rationing plans. Households, already battered by surging inflation, are looking for savings as they face eye-watering utility bill hikes.