Europe heatwave sparks record demand for fans and air conditioners

An unprecedented heatwave sweeping across Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in many regions, has triggered a massive surge in demand for cooling equipment. In France, Carrefour sold 30,000 fans, air‑conditioners and humidifiers in a single day – a thousand times its usual volume. In the United Kingdom, Currys reported fan sales up 3,000 % and air‑conditioner sales up 330 %.

Businesses are also adapting to the extreme heat. Logistics giant DHL equipped more than 111,000 postal workers with cooling boxes, cold packs and UV‑protective gear. Construction and agricultural firms in several countries have shifted work to early mornings or evenings, while schools in the UK have altered timetables to protect pupils. The Netherlands has reduced rail frequencies, and popular tourist sites in Belgium and France are shortening opening hours. A Reuters‑cited study warns that the EU could incur economic losses of around €126 billion by 2029 if such extreme weather persists.