Ice cream and water aisles at major supermarkets in London have been emptied during the current hot spell.
Sainsbury’s in Nine Elms is among a number of supermarkets that appear to have sold-out of ice cream and bottled water.
Pictures show empty freezers in the store as shoppers turn to the traditional comfort of ice cream in an attempt to cool down.
It comes as the UK experienced its hottest day on record, with provisional temperatures reaching 40.2C at Heathrow.
Sales of fans, ice cream, paddling pools and burgers have surged since the heatwave.
Waitrose reported record ice cream sales – up by 36 per cent year on year.
Meanwhile, John Lewis’ sales of fans and air conditioning units increased by 709 per cent year on year.
Joe Sharkey, ice cream buyer for Waitrose, said: “Our ice creams and lollies are continuing to fly off the shelves, as our customers are looking for ways to keep cool.
“We’ve had our biggest week of ice cream sales ever last week, with sales up by 36% compared to last year – and we’ve still got good availability to help customers beat the heat.”
Elsewhere, upmarket chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat has suspended online deliveries amid the soaring heat.
Co-founder Angus Thirlwell said: “It’s not great weather for a chocolate maker.”
He added: “It’s typical to suspend chocolate deliveries within the online business when there’s excessive heat.
“There’s no point in sending them if they’re just going to melt.”
Meanwhile, berry production has not been heavily impacted with growers able to meet the demand.
Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, said: “Generally, yields will be a bit lower as berries ripen faster and don’t quite make the same size as if the berries were left to grow longer.
“However, the fast ripening creates a flush of crop which, if the good weather is maintained for a few days, which it has, then this meets an increased consumer demand.
“Usually, if the sun is shining then we see more Brits buying berries, outdoor entertaining, summer desserts etc, are all good berry buying occasions.”
Sainsbury’s has been contacted for comment.
