IGD highlighted that while warmer weather typically encourages people to spend time outdoors and socialise through BBQs and trips to restaurants, the recent heatwave had a “more mixed impact”.

Almost half of shoppers surveyed (47%), said they did not enjoy it, while 56% stayed at home because of the hot weather. Habits shifted towards staying indoors, keeping cool and conserving energy rather than spending time outside.

Food choices also changed “significantly”, said IGD, with 71% of shoppers saying their usual choices were different during hot weather. Of those surveyed, 82% looked to have lighter meals, driven by reduced appetites (69%) and reluctance to cook in the heat (67%). As a result, shoppers gravitated towards easier, cooler options, with 44% buying more salads and chilled sides and 25% purchasing more convenient, easy-to-prepare foods such as ready meals and ‘picky bits’.

Looking at sales of ice cream and lollies, 64% of shoppers bought more than usual, while 42% bought more fresh fruit, which IGD said highlighted the importance of fresh, chilled and seasonal ranges during warmer periods.

Consumers seek convenient meals

When asked about spending habits, 62% of shoppers agreed that hot weather changes how they shop, while 22% made more impulse purchases than usual. Some shoppers used convenience stores to stock up on last-minute snacks, while others turned to quick commerce to shop without leaving home.

Annie McGoff, IGD analyst, commented: “When high temperatures coincide with major events, shoppers can shift quickly between planned missions, top-up shops and impulse purchases. Businesses that flex availability, merchandising and promotions around chilled, refreshing, convenient and at-home occasion-led products are best placed to respond.

“Clear signposting, meal inspiration and relevant bundles can also help shoppers make quicker decisions, while stronger supply chain resilience will be increasingly important as extreme weather becomes more frequent.”