LONDON (REUTERS) - Sales of electric fans, hoses, air-conditioning units and sprinklers are soaring as Britons swelter amid record temperatures, retailers said.
Britain was braced for temperatures to hit 40 deg C for the first time this week, with ministers urging the public to stay at home as the heatwave caused train services to be cancelled, one London airport to shut its runway and some schools to close.
Sainsbury's, Britain's No. 2 supermarket group which also owns the Argos general merchandise business, said sales of fans last week rose 1,876 per cent versus the week before, while sales of air-conditioning units were up 2,420 per cent and sales of paddling pools were up 814 per cent.
On Monday (July 18), 10 out of the top 15 most-sold items in Amazon's British home and kitchen section were fans. Other popular items included an ice tray and "cooling gel insert" for pillows, according to Amazon.co.uk's "best sellers" webpage.
Department store group John Lewis said sales of fans and air-conditioning units were up 709 per cent year-on year.
Home improvement retailer B&Q, owned by Kingfisher, said sales of hoses and sprinklers had more than doubled this week compared to a typical week, while sales of hot tubs had nearly tripled.
Builders merchant Travis Perkins' Toolstation business said sales of fans jumped 641 per cent from the week before as tradespeople struggled to stay cool.
It said sales of smart technology that controls temperatures leapt 95 per cent, while sales of hoses had increased by 56 per cent and sales of water cans by 21 per cent.
"With the nation strapping in for a scorcher, it's little surprise that they are looking for ways to keep cool," said a Toolstation spokesman.
Supermarkets have also reported soaring sales of ice cream, drinks, BBQ charcoals and suncare products.
However, analysts said that on balance, the heatwave is generally bad news for physical retailers as it is too hot to shop, adding to pressure on a sector already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.
Market researcher Springboard said shopper numbers, or footfall, across all British high streets was down 7.3 per cent up to 1000 GMT on Monday compared to last week.
