As temperatures tip the 40 degree mark, the demand for fans
and air conditioning has sky rocketed and according to a report by ECO demand
is up by more than 700 percent for fans, compared to the same period last year.
Although last year was “atypical”, given that at that time
Portugal “did not face a heat wave like the one it is going through this year”,
an official source from Auchan supermarkets revealed that in the last two
weeks, sales of this air conditioning equipment recorded “a growth of more
than 700%“, compared to the same period in 2021. In these stores, floor and
table fans are the items most sought after by customers to face the rise in
temperatures, although there has been a “considerable growth in fixed and
portable air conditioners”.
Miguel Sousa, regional director of MediaMarkt Portugal, highlights
that demand “has increased considerably with the heat wave in the last two
weeks”. Between 1 July and 14 July of this year alone, sales of fans in
MediaMarkt stores soared by 764.60%, compared to the same period in the
previous year, while sales of portable air conditioners rose by 1,141% and
those of fixed air conditioners increased by 133.20%.
Rádio Popular also shows “a growth of 500%” in the sales of
these air conditioning equipment in the last two weeks, compared to the same of
last year, while on the Mainland, sales of fans nearly tripled “both compared
to the same period last year and compared to the previous week”. Already an
official source from Jerónimo Martins, owner of the Pingo Doce supermarkets,
adds that “demand has increased considerably”, with the current heat wave,
without giving values.
Despite stressing that “the air conditioning business is
naturally influenced by seasonality”, Ricardo Martins, responsible for Samsung
Climate Solutions for the Iberian market, points out that there are other
factors to take into account when choosing this equipment, namely “the
increased comfort and energy efficiency”.
“We believe that the impact of the heat wave is not
registered in the same way as in previous years, given the economic situation
at European level”, Ricardo Martins told ECO, adding that “the general rise in
prices of goods and services requires greater consideration at the time of
purchase”. However, the brand adds that it has “had requests for early delivery
of equipment by the distribution and retail channel”.
“Out of stock”
With the “race” for air conditioning equipment, retailers
are already admitting to running out of stock. “The high demand for these
products, especially in recent days, has put a strong pressure on the available
stock”, says an official source from Sonae MC, owner of Continente
supermarkets, adding that “there may be occasional stock outs in some stores”.
From the same group, Worten also admits that “naturally, there will be stock
outs” “given the heat peak that is being felt”.
Rádio Popular emphasises that “despite an increase in
stock”, if demand remains “at current levels, moments of out of stock may
occasionally occur”. The position is also shared by MediaMarkt, as well as by
Auchan.