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Britain swelters during hottest weekend of year – and heads for the shops Britain swelters during hottest weekend of year – and heads for the shops
(2 months later)
Britain sizzled like sausages over the hottest weekend of the year so far, in what has become – at last – a certified barbecue summer.Britain sizzled like sausages over the hottest weekend of the year so far, in what has become – at last – a certified barbecue summer.
Sales of sausages, barbecues, lawn sprinklers, sunscreen, sun loungers and paddling pools are fuelling a mini economic boom, as the hot weather drives sweaty customers into the shops.Sales of sausages, barbecues, lawn sprinklers, sunscreen, sun loungers and paddling pools are fuelling a mini economic boom, as the hot weather drives sweaty customers into the shops.
Saturday peaked at 31.4C at Heathrow and 31.9C in Southampton, the hottest July day since 2006.Saturday peaked at 31.4C at Heathrow and 31.9C in Southampton, the hottest July day since 2006.
At least another week of hot weather is predicted across most of Britain, with Wednesday looking particularly steamy, and a level three – the second highest – heat health watch in place for the south-west of England.At least another week of hot weather is predicted across most of Britain, with Wednesday looking particularly steamy, and a level three – the second highest – heat health watch in place for the south-west of England.
According to legend if it rains on Monday, St Swithin's Day, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights, but most forecasters think that's highly unlikely.According to legend if it rains on Monday, St Swithin's Day, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights, but most forecasters think that's highly unlikely.
However, based on a forecast of rain from Michael Fish – who once promised there was no hurricane on the way hours before the 1987 great storm hit – Virgin Trains will be giving away umbrellas to commuters.However, based on a forecast of rain from Michael Fish – who once promised there was no hurricane on the way hours before the 1987 great storm hit – Virgin Trains will be giving away umbrellas to commuters.
Bookmakers have cut the odds both on the temperature hitting 100F (38C) at some point this year and on a hosepipe ban being introduced.Bookmakers have cut the odds both on the temperature hitting 100F (38C) at some point this year and on a hosepipe ban being introduced.
After several summers when garden furniture and outdoor entertainments remained stashed in garden sheds, there has been a rush to stock up. Although online sales have shot up, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is also reporting that there was a small but welcome increase in high street shopping in June.After several summers when garden furniture and outdoor entertainments remained stashed in garden sheds, there has been a rush to stock up. Although online sales have shot up, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is also reporting that there was a small but welcome increase in high street shopping in June.
Amazon reported that compared with this time last year, paddling pool sales are up 816%, patio chairs 543% and lawn sprinklers 519%.Amazon reported that compared with this time last year, paddling pool sales are up 816%, patio chairs 543% and lawn sprinklers 519%.
Asda reported the same pattern, with sales of barbecues more than doubling, matched by charcoal and fuel, and last weekend alone 3m sausages and 1.4m burgers were sold.Asda reported the same pattern, with sales of barbecues more than doubling, matched by charcoal and fuel, and last weekend alone 3m sausages and 1.4m burgers were sold.
Tesco was expecting to beat that, with 9m sausages sold over this weekend, and summer fruit sales also booming.Tesco was expecting to beat that, with 9m sausages sold over this weekend, and summer fruit sales also booming.
At Waitrose David Jones said at 28C they see customers switching from ice-creams to ice lollies, and from fizzy drinks to mineral water.At Waitrose David Jones said at 28C they see customers switching from ice-creams to ice lollies, and from fizzy drinks to mineral water.
"Many are virtually abandoning their stoves for the great outdoors – with barbies, salads and picnics foods on the menu. Ice lollies will be up around 110% on last year and charcoal is likely to be up by 300% on last year.""Many are virtually abandoning their stoves for the great outdoors – with barbies, salads and picnics foods on the menu. Ice lollies will be up around 110% on last year and charcoal is likely to be up by 300% on last year."
The weather helped produce a 1.4% improvement in high street shopping in June, after months of decline, according to the BRC and Springboard, which monitors footfall. The improvement seems to have been at the expense of shopping centres, which suffered a 3% decrease in sales.The weather helped produce a 1.4% improvement in high street shopping in June, after months of decline, according to the BRC and Springboard, which monitors footfall. The improvement seems to have been at the expense of shopping centres, which suffered a 3% decrease in sales.
Helen Dickinson, director general of the BRC, said special offers and sales of stock that had piled up in the poor start to the summer had tempted many shoppers out. The increase was strongest in greater London, up 2.4%, but East Anglia and the east Midlands saw sales fall by 1.9%.Helen Dickinson, director general of the BRC, said special offers and sales of stock that had piled up in the poor start to the summer had tempted many shoppers out. The increase was strongest in greater London, up 2.4%, but East Anglia and the east Midlands saw sales fall by 1.9%.
Several companies have reported strong results in the past week, including Primark, which was up by 20%.Several companies have reported strong results in the past week, including Primark, which was up by 20%.
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