# UK endures ‘tropical night’ after heatwave breaks May record for second day

By Susannah Streeter — 2026-05-26

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: “The warmest May night on record is likely to prompt a fresh wave of purchases to help keep households cool in the heatwave. Fans, paddling pools, blackout blinds and ice cube trays will have been filling up real and virtual baskets and could help lift sales at household goods retailers.

“It could help improve sales at DIY firm Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, as customers are likely to have been giving their gardens a spruce up to prepare for the heatwave. Total sales were up 1.4% for the three months to the 30 April, even though a late start to Spring had an impact on demand. So, there may be hopes a renewed desire for makeovers and increased demand for summer essentials could keep tills ringing.

“The hot bank holiday is likely to have also helped boost the fortunes of bars and pubs with gardens and terraces, as people celebrated hot days off. It also bodes well for staycation bookings. The prospect of higher air fares and disrupted routes is still playing on the minds of holidaymakers, and with Britain basking in the sunshine, it could prompt a raft of bookings for UK destinations this summer.”

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