UK Supermarkets Brace for Second 2026 Heatwave Sales Boost as May Heat Lifted Till Sales 4.6%
Updated
Updated · The Grocer · Jun 23
UK Supermarkets Brace for Second 2026 Heatwave Sales Boost as May Heat Lifted Till Sales 4.6%
3 articles · Updated · The Grocer · Jun 23
Summary
NIQ said this week’s extreme heat should lift UK supermarket sales again after May’s heatwave helped push total till sales up 4.6% year on year in the four weeks to 13 June.
0.4% growth in the latest two weeks to 13 June showed how quickly momentum faded in cooler, wetter weather, with volumes down 1.7% and shoppers spending £490 million less than in the previous fortnight.
25% of FMCG spending came through promotions, up from 23.5% a year earlier, while own-label sales rose 5.4% in value and premium own-label lines climbed 9.1%.
70% growth in suncare and 34% in ice cream highlighted the heat effect, while frozen became the fastest-growing super-category with spend reaching £252 million.
Asda’s sales fell 4.9% in the 12 weeks to 13 June and Aldi was flat, while NIQ warned demand could weaken again into August and face more pressure from mortgage, energy and food-cost rises in September.