Waitrose is rolling out advanced refrigeration technology across more than 100 stores to ensure chilled products remain available during extreme heat, as the UK continues to experience hot weather.
Investment in Cooling Systems
The supermarket has invested in enhanced cooling systems designed to keep food fresher for longer and provide customers with a more reliable shopping experience during hot weather. This is part of a £1 billion investment programme.
Branches in locations including Newbury, Bloomsbury, Barnet and Menai Bridge have already received the upgraded technology.
Testing During Heatwaves
The systems were tested during this summer's heatwaves, with the company reporting that the new technology performed significantly better than the older equipment it replaced.
According to the Met Office, the UK has experienced eight days with temperatures above 34C in 2026, conditions that have caused refrigeration issues in some supermarkets. Amber and yellow heat-health alerts are in effect across much of England until 9am BST Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach more than 30C in some areas.
Future-Proofing
Anticipating even hotter conditions in the future, the retailer is also developing next-generation cooling systems that combine refrigeration with heat pumps, enabling external equipment to function in temperatures of up to 48C.
In addition, Waitrose has redesigned its chilled cabinets to retain cold air more efficiently, improving both day-to-day performance and resilience during prolonged warm spells.
Waitrose's Retail Director, Tina Mitchell, said: "Customers rightly expect to be able to shop for fresh and chilled food whatever the weather. That's why we've been investing in modernising our refrigeration systems for many years."
"This summer shows our latest refrigeration technology is more resilient than older equipment, and we're continuing to accelerate investment across our estate."
"As hotter summers become more common, we're continuing to invest in technology to keep products at peak freshness, help our stores perform reliably and improve energy efficiency."
