Marks & Spencer has announced a major investment in refrigeration systems across its stores to cope with extreme heat, following a June heatwave that caused fridges to fail and shelves to empty. Chief executive Stuart Machin revealed the plan at the chain's annual meeting in London on July 8, 2026.
Heatwave Challenges
Last month's heatwave saw the UK set a June temperature record of 37.7°C on June 26 in Lingwood, Norfolk. The scorching conditions overwhelmed refrigeration systems in some M&S foodhalls, leading to temporary outages and empty shelves. Shoppers reported issues at stores including Crewe, where fridges were temporarily out of order.
Machin told shareholders: "There's no doubt we were struggling in those nine days of extreme heat. Now we're investing in equipment in our stores to deal with temperatures of 45°C. We're reviewing all our refrigeration as well."
Investment in Resilience
The investment comes as the Met Office forecasts a third UK heatwave this week, with temperatures potentially reaching 35°C. Experts warn that climate change could push temperatures to 45°C or higher in the future. Last year, the Met Office stated there was a 50:50 chance of the UK hitting 40°C within 12 years—a milestone first reached in 2022. A "plausible" forecast for June 2056 showed peaks of 45°C in England.
M&S did not disclose the total investment amount but confirmed the new equipment will be rolled out across stores to prevent future disruptions. The retailer aims to ensure food safety and product availability during extreme weather events.
