Retailers report a surge in demand for cooling products as the UK experiences record-breaking May temperatures. Fans are selling at a rate of three per minute, while sales of ice cubes have tripled compared to the previous week, according to Tesco. Sunscreen sales rose nearly sixfold, and electric fan sales increased more than thirtyfold.
The UK recorded a provisional all-time spring high of 34.8°C at Kew Gardens on Monday, followed by 35°C at Heathrow and Kew Gardens on Tuesday. The heat has driven shoppers to seek relief through items such as ice baths, cooling eye masks, and air conditioning units. An estimated four million UK homes now have air conditioning, double the figure from three years ago, as more people work from home and summer temperatures rise.
Dimplex chief executive Ciaran Murphy noted that fan sales have exceeded initial forecasts, with consumers becoming more proactive about preparing their homes for hotter weather. Searches for blackout blinds rose by 118% on furniture platform Ufurnish, while parasol searches increased by 384%. Barbecue sales also surged, with Klarna reporting a 49% month-on-month increase from March to April.
Ocado noted a rise in sales of smash burgers and Pimm's, while Marks & Spencer reported a 133% increase in searches for canned alcoholic drinks. Net World Sports saw ice bath sales up 200% and website views up 118%, as cold-water therapy gains mainstream popularity for coping with the heat.
