Too HOT to SHOP

Flaming June sends high street sales slumping. However, online sales of fans, air con units and paddling pools soared. We’re ditching the bricks and mortar shops to click from the shade of the sofa.

June’s blistering heat fried pavements and retail sales, as we refused to brave the great outdoors and splurged from the comfort of their homes.

New figures from the British Retail Consortium show total retail sales growth halved, dropping from 3.7% in May to just 1.9% in June, with the finger pointed firmly at the  heatwave.

High‑street sales fell 1.1% as shoppers stayed indoors, shops sweltered, and staff battled melting fridges and roasting shop floors. Online was a completely different story.

ONLINE SALES SURGED 5%

While the high street wilted, online non‑food sales jumped more than 5%, grabbing their biggest slice of total retail sales so far this year. We didn’t want crowds, queues and heatstroke. We wanted fans, air con units, paddling pools, cold drinks and next‑day delivery.

Online retailers struggled to meet demand so intense some couldn’t restock fast enough.

WORLD CUP + HEATWAVE = ONLINE SHOPPING FRENZY

The heatwave collided wonderfully with the World Cup, sending sales of home appliances, electricals and food soaring.

Football fever also boosted food and drink sales as Brits stocked up for match nights, preferably somewhere cool.

SHOPS STRUGGLE AS FRIDGES FAIL IN THE HEAT

On the other hand for physical retailers, the heatwave was a nightmare. Fridges overheated, chillers failed, fresh food was ruined and people struggled. M&S is reported to be investing in heat‑proof fridges to cope with hotter summers as an example of what’s coming for the whole sector.

RETAILERS CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE COSTS

The heatwave pain comes on top of:

• soaring business rates

• higher employment taxes

• global uncertainty

• rising wage bills

• new regulations

BRC chief Helen Dickinson warned: “These pressures are squeezing retailers’ ability to invest, create jobs and keep prices down.” She’s calling on the next PM to come up with a new approach to taxing the high street.

BURNHAM PLANS RATE CUTS FOR SHOPS

Burnham has talked about:

• slashing business rates for high‑street retailers and hospitality

• hiking levies on out‑of‑town warehouses

Trade bodies say reform is urgent. On 14th July, UKHospitality, BIRA and others ramped up pressure, warning that soaring rates are forcing businesses to:

• hike prices

• slash investment

• cut staff

• shut stores

The new Real Rates Reform Alliance says the current system is “broken” and punishing the very businesses that keep Britain’s towns alive.

June’s heatwave hammered the high street but turbo‑charged online retail. Fans, air con units and paddling pools were the month’s hottest sellers literally. We’re in the middle of the longest heatwave ever in the UK as this is posted and the reality is dawning: this is likely to become normal.

Behind the sales swings, retailers warn they’re being crushed by costs, taxes and failing infrastructure. If we want thriving high streets, we need to cool the pressure before more shops melt away for good. That’s another high priority item to add to the new PM’s shopping list.