South Korea’s tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. has retained its top position in the U.S. key home appliance markets for a fourth consecutive quarter in the first quarter of this year, thanks to brisk sales of its washing machines and fridges.

According to market research firm TraQline on Tuesday, Samsung Electronics accounted for the largest 19.2 percent share in the overall U.S. consumer electronics market in the first quarter of this year ended March. The figure - which is based on sales - is up 4.5 percentage points from the same period a year ago.

The survey, which is released quarterly by TraQline, showed that Samsung Electronics has remained in the top spot for a fourth consecutive quarter since it emerged as the market leader in the second quarter of 2016 with 16.7 percent share. For full 2016, the home appliance behemoth also claimed the largest market share of 17.3 percent, according to the survey.

By item, Samsung Electronics accounted for 19.7 percent of the U.S. washing machine market in the January-March period, marking the third consecutive quarter to rank No. 1 in the market. Demand was mainly led by steady sales of its FlexWash laundry machine that comes with two washer units - one with a large load and the other with a small load - in one machine. The Korean company became the top seller of washing machines for the first time in the third quarter of 2016 on growing popularity of its AddWash washing machine released last year.

In particular, TraQline survey showed that Samsung Electronics commanded 27.1 percent in the frontloading washer market in the first quarter of this year, which was 5.9 percentage points higher from the same period last year.

The company was also the best seller of both French-door and two-door refrigerators. Samsung Electronics controlled 34 percent of share in the French-door fridge market, remaining in the top spot for a 32nd consecutive quarter, and 22.3 percent in the two-door refrigerator sector. In particular, it outperformed in the premium refrigerator market as it made up 37 percent and 36.4 percent in the markets for the French-door and two-door fridges, respectively, that both cost more than $2,000.

Samsung Electronics also claimed 18.2 percent in the U.S. oven market the first quarter, up 4.6 percentage points from the same period a year ago. Its share in the microwave sector was 13.5 percent, up 4.9 percentage points over the same period, emerging as second-largest player in the market.

Choi Ik-soo, executive vice president at Samsung Electronics, said that its FlexWash and FlexDry washing and drying system, as well as Family Hub refrigerators that were introduced early this year are gaining steady popularity, and the company will continue to put out efforts to introduce more consumer-friendly products.

By Kim Dong-eun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]