Marks & Spencer has announced plans to reinvest in refrigeration systems capable of withstanding temperatures of 45°C after some of its fridges broke down during last month's extreme heatwave. The decision follows a nine-day period of intense heat across the UK, with temperatures exceeding 37°C, which caused significant strain on supermarket cooling infrastructure.
Extreme heat exposes infrastructure weaknesses
Stuart Machin, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, told a shareholder meeting in London that the company struggled during the June heatwave. 'There's no doubt we were struggling in those nine days of extreme heat,' he said. 'Now we're investing in equipment in our stores to deal with temperatures of 45 degrees. We're reviewing all our refrigeration as well.'
The move comes as the UK faces another heatwave in July, with temperatures expected to reach 34°C in London and potentially higher later in the week. According to Met Office scientists, the UK could regularly see peak temperatures of 45°C by 2056, making such upgrades increasingly necessary.
Health alerts and water restrictions
An amber heat health alert covers London, the South East, South West, East of England, and the Midlands from Wednesday morning until Sunday evening. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates warned that nighttime temperatures in urban areas are likely to remain 'in the high teens Celsius overnight,' leading to tropical nights.
Water supplies are also under pressure due to sparse rainfall and increased demand. Thames Water has urged its 16 million customers to avoid using hosepipes and sprinklers to maintain supplies, though no official ban is in place in London. South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban in parts of Kent from July 3, and Southern Water's ban will start across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from July 10. Using a hosepipe in a banned zone can result in a £1,000 fine.
Climate change driving new norms
Experts warn that extreme heat is becoming the new norm as climate change intensifies. The June heatwave, driven by a heat dome over western Europe, forced several hospitals to declare critical incidents. The combination of high temperatures and low rainfall has also increased the risk of wildfires.
Marks & Spencer's investment in upgraded refrigeration is part of a broader trend among retailers adapting to more frequent and severe heat events. The company's review of all its refrigeration systems aims to prevent future disruptions to shoppers, who faced empty fridges during the June heatwave.
