Marks & Spencer is investing in refrigeration equipment capable of handling temperatures as high as 45C, as the climate crisis is expected to drive more frequent extreme heat in the UK. The retailer's chief executive, Stuart Machin, told shareholders at the group's annual meeting in London on Tuesday that the company was “assuming it’s going to get hotter” and was upgrading its fridges accordingly.
Struggles During June Heatwave
“There is no doubt we were struggling in the nine days of [recent] extreme heat,” Machin said. The UK recorded its hottest June day ever last month, with provisional highs of 37.7C, nearing the highest ever recorded temperature of 40.3C in 2022. A third heatwave of the summer is expected to arrive this week, according to the Met Office.
Machin explained that the group is investing in kit that can cope with 45C heat, including fridges with doors that help them stay cool in warmer weather. The retailer also had to order more ice-cream after six product lines went out of stock due to surging demand in recent weeks, prompting one supplier to hire 10 extra staff.
Retailers Adapt to Extreme Heat
Machin’s comments follow similar admissions from other retailers. Last week, Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said staff and suppliers had been “working around the clock” to ensure fridges could cope with high temperatures. Sainsbury’s is investing “hundreds of millions of pounds” in new refrigeration kit, with about 100 stores receiving upgrades.
The UK is expected to experience more spells of extremely hot weather due to the climate crisis, prompting businesses to race to adapt. In May, the Climate Change Committee warned that the UK was “built for a climate that no longer exists” and needed urgent changes to survive global heating.
Security and Fashion Updates
Machin also reassured shareholders that M&S is investing more in security measures amid concerns about rising retail crime. The company has invested millions of pounds in increasing the number of security guards employed through a third party, with those workers “trained in how to treat customers”, including saying hello and goodbye. M&S is also investing in systems to tackle “petty crime”, such as customers taking items they have not scanned at self-service tills.
Additionally, after feedback from shoppers and his “stylish 78-year-old” mother, Machin said M&S is ensuring its autumn and winter fashion ranges include items that “cover the tum, tops and bum”, to broaden appeal alongside efforts to attract younger shoppers in their 20s and 30s.
