Currys has warned that stocks of fans and air conditioning units are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain as record-breaking temperatures drive unprecedented demand. The electronics retailer reported that during the most recent heatwave weekend, sales of fans surged by 3,000% compared to the previous week, while air conditioning unit sales rose by 330%.
Record Temperatures and Health Alerts
The Met Office confirmed that a number of long-standing temperature records were provisionally broken or equalled in June, as heatwaves swept across the UK. Millions of Britons were placed under rare amber and red warnings for extreme heat. The UK Health Security Agency issued a red heat health alert, citing concerns about strain on medical services as temperatures reached 37.3C in Suffolk.
Warm spells have continued into July, with a new heatwave likely to be declared in parts of the country. BBC Weather reported that the highest temperatures could hit 30C on Sunday, the earliest day a new heatwave could be officially confirmed for a few spots in England.
Currys CEO Comments on Supply Constraints
Currys chief executive Alex Baldock said the sweltering conditions in June drove customers to rush to buy cooling products. He told The Guardian that the retailer is working hard to remain well stocked, but supply is still “pretty tight.” The warning came as Baldock unveiled Currys' full-year performance figures, his last before leaving the firm to become CEO of Boots in the autumn.
Weather Outlook: Third Heatwave Expected
The Met Office said in a blog post that this weekend's weather will be characterised by a north/south split, with increasingly warm and sunny conditions developing across many southern and eastern areas, while parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland experience cloudier, breezier weather with rain. The weekend is also likely to see the development of the UK's third heatwave of the year across southern areas.
However, the Met Office noted two important distinctions compared with the exceptional heat experienced at the end of June: temperatures are not expected to reach the same extreme levels, and the heat will not be felt across the whole country.
