UK heatwave drives price increases on hot tubs and air conditioners
The Story
A heatwave in the UK has triggered price surges on seasonal items, with one inflatable hot tub nearly doubling in price in a week and air conditioning units rising by about 17% since April, according to an industry expert. The Guardian reviewed prices on 11 heatwave-related products using the PriceRunner comparison service, finding six at their highest price in three months while five stayed unchanged.
Key Facts
- The Bestway inflatable hot tub Lay‑Z‑Spa Cancún AirJet was available for £160 on 21 May and now costs a minimum of £299.
- Nick Glynne, CEO of Buy It Direct Group, said air conditioning unit prices have risen roughly 15–17% compared with a few months ago, largely due to shipping costs, raw material prices (especially oil and plastics), and demand.
- The Dyson Cool Tower fan was priced at £299 on Amazon, up from a low of £249.99 during the period examined.
- The Morphy Richards Flexi Freeze 12K BTU portable air conditioning unit rose from £389 to £410 after 4 May.
- The De’Longhi Pinguino Gentle Jet air conditioner cost £689.95 at Tiny Lux, up from a low of £659.99 a few days earlier.
- Consumer expert Martyn James noted that businesses often increase prices in advance of demand, such as when the Met Office forecasts a heatwave, and suggested consumers check manufacturer’s RRP and use price‑tracker websites like CamelCamelCamel and PriceSpy.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Nick Glynne – chief executive of Buy It Direct Group
- Martyn James – consumer expert
Sources: The Guardian
