Waitrose rolls out high‑temperature refrigeration systems across UK stores

Waitrose is installing new refrigeration units that combine heat‑pump and cooling technology, enabling them to operate in ambient temperatures up to 48 °C. The retailer’s retail director Tina Mitchell said the upgrades will keep chilled products fresh, improve store reliability and boost energy efficiency as hotter summers become more common.

The rollout follows a summer of record UK heat, with the Met Office noting 35 °C‑plus readings in May, June and July 2026 and a provisional 37.7 °C in Norfolk. Widespread refrigeration failures at supermarkets earlier in the heatwave prompted industry‑wide investment, with rivals Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s also upgrading equipment to cope with extreme temperatures.