Long queues reminiscent of Covid-era shopping returned to Lidl stores across the UK on June 25, 2026, as shoppers rushed to buy bargain air conditioning units during a record-breaking heatwave. The Tronic-3-in-1 portable cooling system, priced at £149, went on sale but many stores sold out within minutes, leaving customers frustrated.
Queues form in blistering heat
Temperatures soared above 30°C in the extreme heat area, yet shoppers lined up outside Lidl branches in Hampshire and Warwick. At the Lidl Hedge End store in Hampshire, customers waited in the sizzling heat only to be told the units were all gone. A Lidl branch in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and one in Southampton also reportedly sold out quickly.
Shoppers vent frustration online
Frustrated shoppers took to social media to complain, with some alleging that stores had either not stocked the units or put them out a day before the advertised sale date. One customer in Portishead said: 'Well done Lidl, how to piss your customer off. Advertise the air conditioning units for sale from 25/6/26, and put them all out the day before. So many unhappy customers this morning, who got up early especially to buy them.'
Another shopper reported seeing people buying multiple units without restriction. 'Got there 8:02 headed in and was still in stock HOWEVER people were buying multiple which meant the woman in front of me got the last one. Wasted journey, greed and no policy for one per customer. Back to cooking it is,' they wrote.
Store shortages and angry customers
A shopper who visited the High Wycombe store at 7:20am claimed they were the first in the store but the manager said no units had been received, leaving '50 angry customers.' The portable home cooling system is designed to dehumidify and ventilate rooms, making it a sought-after item during the heatwave.
Metro has approached Lidl for a comment. The scenes mirror the panic buying seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, when shoppers queued for essential items. The heatwave continues, with many seeking ways to stay cool.
