Marks & Spencer says it is investing in new refrigeration equipment after some store fridges struggled or broke down during last month’s extreme heat. The company reports that it experienced operational difficulties during a nine-day period of very high temperatures in June, when the UK saw record-breaking conditions.
According to accounts from multiple outlets, the upgraded refrigeration units are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 45C. The move is intended to reduce the risk of further equipment failures during future hot weather, with M&S pointing to expectations that higher temperatures will occur more regularly as climate change progresses.
One report also notes that M&S had to adjust its supply and in-store operations during the heatwave, including ordering additional ice cream to keep pace with demand. The company’s chief executive, Stuart Machin, is quoted describing the business as “struggling” during the extreme heat period and framing the equipment changes as a response to those challenges.
M&S’s announcements focus on store readiness and continuity of food refrigeration during sustained high temperatures.
