Major supermarkets across the UK experienced widespread refrigeration failures on Wednesday 24 June, leaving shelves bare during the record-breaking heatwave. Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, M&S and Waitrose were among the retailers affected, with customers reporting empty aisles and printed notices on malfunctioning fridges and freezers.
Tesco branches hit hard
Tesco stores in Haslingden, Crewe and Altrincham were reported to have been left depleted, with video footage provided to the Manchester Evening News showing empty refrigerated sections. A sign on the fridges stated: "This unit is not currently in use. This is to ensure the remaining fridges/freezers in this store can operate at full capacity."
One social media user posted: "Anyone thinking of going in Haslingden Tesco don't bother! Pretty much all the fridge and freezers are broken. Meat isle is completely empty and they won't let you take anything out of the yogurt isle. Will be loads of food gone to waste today."
M&S and others affected
Photographs revealed malfunctioning fridges in the Crewe M&S, with notices stating: "Unfortunately this fridge is out of order." Another customer reported similar issues at Waitrose in Sandbach, saying: "I think the entire UK is in meltdown."
A Morrisons outlet in Swindon issued an apology after photographs revealed a line of vacant freezers, attributing it to a "maintenance issue". Sainsbury's branches elsewhere in the UK also experienced difficulties, according to accounts.
Nationwide impact
The problem appeared to impact numerous supermarket outlets across the nation, as per the Manchester Evening News. Social media users from across the UK documented their experiences on Wednesday, which became the hottest June day on record. Temperatures reached a provisional 36C, surpassing the previous record from the summer of 1976.
One user posted on X: "If anyone is desperate for M&S, do not go to High Wycombe retail park. All the fridges are off-line literally only got dry stuff available." Another shared a photograph in a Tesco displaying a 'refrigeration breakdown' notice, writing: "The fridges in my local shop this morning couldn't deal with the heat."
Extreme weather warnings
This follows much of England and Wales experiencing exceptionally hot and humid weather, which has triggered amber and a rare red warning from the Met Office for extreme heat, anticipated to persist for the rest of the week. Customers reported difficulty obtaining basket staples like meats and milk.
Tesco, M&S and Waitrose were approached for a comment.
