Whirlpool's sales in the United States fell 2.2% last quarter due to "very slow market demand," Bitzer said. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the company's second largest market, sales tumbled 12%.
The company hinted that it planned to continue raising prices to offset raw material inflation, which means that consumers holding out for a cheaper dryer might have to wait a while.
Despite more expensive units, Whirlpool expects sales to recover in the United States in part from a growing economy. "We are encouraged by the strength of the US economy, including low unemployment and healthy housing demand," said CFO James Peters.