Heatwave slows retail sales but World Cup boosts online shopping Retail June’s scorching heat slowed retail sales, but Brits opted to shop from home instead, sending online sales soaring. Total retail sales in the UK slowed from 3.7 per cent in May to 1.9 per cent in June year on year, in line with this year’s average growth rate, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). [...]
Grid operator issues fresh heatwave warning over power supplies Energy The energy grid operator has warned that the “extreme temperatures” from this week’s heatwave could hit power supplies on Thursday night, as households’ use of fans and air conditioner place a record strain on our electricity system. The National Energy System Operator (Neso) issued a rare overnight notice calling on energy companies to generate additional [...]
Heatwave fans demand for aircon stocks Investing Investors have been piling into air conditioning stocks as global heatwaves and the spread of data centres drive demand for cooling systems. Shares in global leading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) firms have recorded sharp increases in recent months, with Tokyo-listed Daikin Industries up 23.91 per cent to 24,050.00 yen (£118.50) since the start [...]
Lessons in comms from my children’s primary school June 26, 2026 As the London heatwave sends primary schools into meltdown, comms expert Adam Smith reflects on what we can learn.
Heatwave drives shoppers off high streets in blow to retailers June 26, 2026 Record June temperatures have driven British shoppers off of the high streets in a blow to already struggling retailers. The heatwave pushed retail footfall across the UK as much as 10 per cent lower this week, according to data collected by Sensormatic for City AM. In London, where temperatures reached 36C, high streets took an [...]
The best wine to take to a picnic in the sun June 25, 2026 Picnic season is on a roll and no matter what picky bits you are currently into, there is a drop of the good stuff to make it taste even better. Scotch Eggs x English Sparkling Wine Fortnum & Mason first invented the modern “scotch egg” in 1738 as a convenient meal for coach travellers from [...]
London’s heatwave is a boon for Lime bikes June 24, 2026 As temperatures climb across the capital and commuters look for ways to avoid stuffy Tube carriages, London’s heatwave is turning into a major boost for the micromobility industry. Lime, the Uber-backed e-bike giant preparing for a New York stock market listing, has seen demand surge as Londoners swap public transport for two wheels. During May’s [...]
City firms send workers home as heatwave melts London June 24, 2026 City firms have told their workers to stay away from the office this week as London is hit with a record June heatwave. Several multinational companies headquartered in the Square Mile have advised their employees to consider remote work in a bid to dodge the sweltering heat. Banking giant JP Morgan Chase is the biggest [...]
House price slump blamed on World Cup and heatwave June 15, 2026 House prices made a surprise drop in June because Brits are too busy watching the World Cup to move home, Rightmove has said. The average UK house price dropped by 0.6 per cent to £376,191 this month, according to the property portal, marking the biggest June fall in 14 years. Rightmove said this “unusual” slump [...]
Heatwave boost for retailers as Brits snapped up BBQs and fans June 9, 2026 The late-May heatwave offered a much-needed boost for retailers as the hot weather prompted red-hot spending on barbecues, fans and sandals. Retail sales in the UK jumped by 3.7 per cent year on year in May, soaring above the full-year average of two per cent, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Many Brits opted [...]