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Business & Finance

UK heatwave triggers price rises for items such as hot tubs and air conditioning units

The Guardian UK Wednesday 27 May 2026, 13:50 UTC By Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent 1 min read
Key Points

A recent heatwave in the UK has caused significant price increases for various seasonal items. The Guardian reported that six of eleven seasonal products saw their highest prices in the last three months, with some nearly doubling in a week. For example, one inflatable hot tub's price rose from £160 to a minimum of £299, and air conditioning units have increased by approximately 17% since April.

Of 11 seasonal items in Guardian price comparison, six hit highest price in last three months, with some nearly doubling in price in last week

The heatwave has triggered a surge in prices for seasonal items, with the cost of one inflatable hot tub nearly doubling in a week, while an industry expert said air conditioning units have risen by about 17% since April.

The Guardian looked at the cost of popular items across a range of websites and examined their price on PriceRunner, an independent price comparison service. One of the biggest price increases was for the Bestway inflatable hot tub Lay-Z-Spa Cancún AirJet, which was available for £160 on 21 May but now retails for a minimum of £299.

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Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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