Retailers report a sharp rise in sales of cooling and outdoor products during the UK’s record-breaking May heatwave. Demand for fans is particularly high, alongside increased purchases of ice cubes, sunscreen and items marketed for cooling, including products such as cooling eye masks and other heat-battling accessories. Some shoppers are also buying supplies associated with cooling at home, such as for ice baths and related use. In addition, sales of outdoor living items, including barbecues and shade-focused products, are reported to be stronger than usual as people try to manage hotter conditions at home and outdoors.
The hotter weather follows a series of high-temperature readings across the country. The Met Office and other outlets cite temperatures around the mid-30s Celsius at monitoring sites including Kew Gardens and Heathrow, described as provisional all-time meteorological spring or May records. One outlet reports a “tropical night” after daytime temperatures reached the mid-30s, with subsequent days seeing further record-breaking or near-record temperatures at these sites.
Retailers attribute the spikes to shoppers seeking practical ways to reduce indoor heat exposure and stay comfortable during unusually warm May conditions.
