Currys has issued a hot weather warning to its customers as supplies of fans and air conditioning units have become “tight” following the UK’s latest heatwave. The electronics and home appliances retailer reported that demand surged dramatically, with chief executive Alex Baldock stating that fans and air conditioning units had been “flying off the shelves”.
Sales Skyrocket During Heatwave
Currys saw fan sales increase by nearly 3,000% over the most recent heatwave weekend compared to the previous week. Air conditioning sales rose by 330%. The hot weather caused stock levels to drop sharply, leaving retailers scrambling for more supply as another heatwave is forecast to hit the UK.
Mr Baldock told The Guardian: “We are benefitting from being number one in the market and if anyone is going to have it we are going to have it.” He added that Currys was “working incredibly hard” to keep stock levels healthy, but admitted that supply is “pretty tight”.
Met Office Forecasts More Warm Weather
Temperatures across the UK are expected to climb again, with the Met Office forecasting “dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for much of England and Wales” next week. High pressure could extend northwards, bringing warmer conditions to Scotland and Northern Ireland as well. According to its long range forecast for July 8 to July 17, the weather will become “widely warm”, though it reassured that conditions will not be “as hot nor humid as seen in the past week”.
Five-Day Forecast for July 4 to 8
Headline: Outbreaks of rain in the northwest. Brighter skies elsewhere.
Today: A rather cloudy start, with outbreaks of rain in the north and west. Brightening up for many, with spells of warm sunshine developing. Though staying cloudy across the northwest, with further rain in places. Locally hot in the southeast.
Tonight: Cloud and patchy rain across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Largely dry elsewhere, with clear spells and perhaps the odd light showers. A mild night for most.
Sunday: Warm spells of sunshine for much of England and Wales. Cloudier across Northern Ireland and Scotland, with further rain here. Staying hot towards the southeast, generally warm elsewhere.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday: Further spells of rain across northwestern parts through Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures near average here. Staying sunny elsewhere and turning locally hot in the southeast. Widely dry and warm Wednesday.
