The UK convenience sector has enjoyed record-breaking soft drinks and ice cream sales as a result of the June heatwave, according to insight agency Talysis.
Soft drinks broke their value sales record twice in the space of four weeks, claimed Talysis. Value sales reached £114m in the week ending 27 June, beating the previous record of £105m, which was only set over the Bank Holiday week ending 31 May. In fact, last week was the best week in the last two years for all the main sub-categories across soft drinks – water, carbonates, energy, juice/smoothies and health/lifestyle – and even across both impulse and take-home sectors, stated the firm.
Ice cream also broke records week last week, with value sales reaching £18.2m, a huge 56% higher than last year’s peak, which was coincidentally on the same week last year, when sales were £11.6m. Echoing soft drinks, the ice cream category also broke its value sales record twice within four weeks, with the week ending 31 May seeing sales of £14.8m.
Talysis highlighted that chocolate countlines also put in a strong performance. While sales stood at £8.5m in the week ending 27 June versus a 52-week average of £10.3m, this was in fact higher than both Easter week 2026 and the two weeks over Christmas 2025.
June’s record-breaking sales follow on from May’s hot weather, which delivered a £30m windfall for the sector, with every extra degree over the expected seasonal average temperature worth an extra £3m in sales.
Ed Roberts, MD of Talysis Ltd, said:
“The great British summer this year presents a major and much-needed opportunity for the UK’s independent convenience sector. As our insights have shown, hotter weather, either a heatwave or simply ‘above average’ temperatures, delivers significant sales increases in the channel. Coupled with the World Cup, Wimbledon and other high profile sporting events, it’s exactly what the sector needs. Although the latest heatwave is now over, there’s another one predicted soon. Retailers need to grab every opportunity they can to demonstrate their convenience now, so that shoppers remember them during the tougher months. Stock up on the key categories to maximise availability, make sure relevant SKUs are chilled, and communicate effectively to your customers and potential customers.”
