ERT has heard from a growing number of electrical retailers who say they are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for cooling products as temperatures continue to climb across the UK.
One independent retailer told ERT that customers had been fighting over the last remaining fan in store, while another said they had a lengthy waiting list of customers all asking for the same thing: “Get me anything you’ve got” to help keep them cool.
Currys CEO Alex Baldock said cooling products had been “flying off the shelves” throughout June’s record-breaking heat, with fan sales jumping by almost 3,000 per cent over the latest heatwave weekend compared with the previous weekend. Sales of portable air conditioning units also rose by 330 per cent.
Speaking as the retailer announced its latest annual results, Mr Baldock said Currys was “working incredibly hard” to maintain stock levels but admitted supplies were “pretty tight” ahead of another heatwave forecast for next week.
The retailer’s comments echo what many independent electrical retailers are experiencing, with stock availability becoming increasingly challenging as demand outpaces supply.
And one thing is for sure, this heat definitely isn’t going away anytime soon.
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