UK heatwaves see Brits making key purchases to battle scorching weather as certain industries thrive

UK heatwaves see Brits making key purchases to battle scorching weather as certain industries thrive This summer's extreme weather have been a major headache for most households and businesses. But it has had a silver lining for some firms Sweltering conditions have left farmers reeling, and led to warning of a more than £4billion hit to the economy from workers being less productive as they struggle to cope with the record temperatures. However, this summer's heatwaves have also led to red hot sales of some products, with certain businesses emerging as inadvertent winners from what has been happening. Fashion The heatwave has deterred many shoppers from hitting the high street, in a blow to lots of retailers. However, fashion sellers have bucked the trend as people rushed to beef-up their summer wardrobes and bought more shorts, T-shirts and light clothing in a bid to keep cool. Helen Dickinson, chief executive at trade body the British Retail Consortium, said: ”Clothing was a bright spot, driven by demand for affordable summer essentials.” Fashion giant Next recently upgraded its annual profit forecast thanks in part to the heatwave. Takings jumped 9.2% in the 13 weeks to the start of August, smashing its predicted 4% increase for the period and equating to an extra £70million. Next said the “over performance” was partly due to hot weather in the UK, with temperatures in June and July soaring. Fans Fans have been one of the most needed products this summer, proving a winner for those with any to sell. Eight million mini fans are expected to be sold this year as weather-weary Brits try to stay cool. Joybuy, a Chinese online retailer now operating in the UK, said sales of electric fans surged 2,500% during June’s heatwave alone. Department store John Lewis said sales of neck fans more than tripled, and Currys warned fans stocks were low at one stage. Other products, including garden furniture, has been in hot demand. Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said: “The prolonged warm weather has aided home entertaining and garden related purchases.” John Lewis says sales of paddling pools were up more than a third last week, compared with a year ago, with demand for blackout blinds more than doubling. Ice cream The sweltering weather has been a recipe for success for the nation’s ice cream parlours, vans, and shops. The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which makes everything from Ben & Jerry’s to Cornetto, sold £4.3billion worth of tubs, cones and lollies in the first six months of this year across all its markets. Sales of Ben & Jerry’s jumped 9.2% in the three months to June, driven by the launch of new stock and ice-cream cookie sandwiches. Meanwhile, supermarket chain Waitrose said ice lolly sales surged 82% last week, year-on-year. Air conditioning As well as fans, households have been rushing to splash out on air conditioning units to try to keep their homes cool. One reason is that the hot nights has meant many people have struggled to sleep property. John Lewis said demand for portable air con units had been so great that some batches had been snapped-up within minutes of them going on sale. Those wanting permanent units fitted have faced lengthy waits to have them installed amid “unprecedented” demand and low stocks. One firm said: “Getting hold of air con parts and stock at the moment is like getting toilet rolls in Covid.” Animal feed The parched conditions have proved a nightmare for many farmers across the country, with harvests set to hit a record low. With grass hardly growing, an increasingly number of dairy and other livestock farmers are having to raid their winter silage to feed their animals now. With stock running down, they are having to look at buying in feed, in a boost to producers who do have stocks. Holidays Although much of England and Wales has seen its fifth heatwave of the summer, it is nothing compared with some parts of Europe. Temperatures in Greece, for example, have reached 43C and there has been widespread wildfires raging in France, Germany, Croatia and Greece. The boiling weather on the continent has further boosted demand for staycations, as Brits look for lower temperatures. Northern England and Scotland said to be benefited from a “coolcation” trend, as well as countries in Scandinavia. Sam Pearman, co-founder of Country Creatures, which runs four boutique pubs and hotels in the Cotswolds, told the FT: “It is, of course, still very hot here in the Cotswolds, but less so than mainland Europe and more manageable”, adding that the company had “never had more enquiries about air-conditioning”. However, operators warn the rush of bookings was not enough to offset a jump in costs on the hospitality sector, especially from wages. Pubs Landlady Dawn Slater, who runs The Garricks Head in Urmston, Gtr Manchester, said it was running out to be the best summer in the more than seven years running the pub. England’s thrilling run in the football World Cup had already boosted takings for many boozers across the country. “I thought it would tail off after the World Cup, but it hasn’t,” said Dawn. “It’s been really good. What we have seen is people coming in later in the day.” Emma McClarkin, chief executive of trade body the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “With eight out of 10 pubs having beer gardens, the local is a natural choice for those who want to lap up the sun. On the other hand, those who might be feeling the heat might want to head to the pub because it has air-conditioning or because they have shaded interiors that offer a welcome cooler temperature. “We also know summer is a peak time for no and low sales, and expect more than 64 million pints of low- and no-alcohol beer to be sold as people flock to the pub.”