Shops running hot as rising temperatures prompt huge summer spending splurge

Burgers, burger buns and chicken drumsticks are all flying off the shelves, and people are also eager to get their hands on new garden furniture so they can make the most of the balmy weather.

It comes as the scorching temperatures are set to continue for most of the week, with the mercury expected to reach the high 20s again at the weekend.

Dublin basked in warm sunshine on the hottest day of the year yesterday when temperatures soared to a sizzling 27.7C at the Phoenix Park – the ­hottest spot in the country.

Dublin Airport followed close behind at 27.2C.

Grange in Co Meath came in as the third hottest at 25.7C while Oak Park in Co Carlow recorded 25.6C, according to Met Éireann.

Meteorologist Eimear Flood warned that next weekend could well produce the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures  expected to climb to almost 30C on Sunday.

Meanwhile, supermarkets are reporting a barbecue sweep.

Lidl said sales across their summer assortment were up 40pc last week.

Their top-selling items included Irish Angus beef quarter-pounders, chicken thighs and drumsticks, family size deli-style coleslaw and brioche burger buns.

Their garden sofa set also proved to be in high demand.

Lidl also saw a spike in their lawnmower sales with their cordless grass lawnmower almost completely sold out. For those heading to the beach their aqua shoes are also now sold out.

Laura Shaw, owner of Longford Garden Centre, also reported business was booming, with people heavily investing in their gardens since the pandemic.

She said: “Covid was a great time for people to actually educate themselves on the garden, and people are much more knowledgeable now about their gardens than they were two years ago, and you can just see with the demand.”

The president of the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, Jack Molloy, said his business in Waterford had been a lot busier since the weather picked up last week.

“We have been busier now with the good weather. At the moment people are big into doing barbecues,” he said.

“For the next couple of weeks now you will see business remaining pretty solid, people are barbecuing more now.

“It’s the height of the season for barbecue meats now and with the last week with the weather you’ll see an uptake already in barbecue favourites.”

Aldi are also gearing up for the hot weather and are ready to roll out a Jumbo Paddling Pool (€19.99) and a 10ft Quick Up inflatable pool (€44.99) in stores from Thursday. A badminton set with pop up net (€29.99) will also hit stores this week.

Meanwhile, Lloyd’s Pharmacy chain has seen a spike in sales of sun-care products and allergy remedies.

Sun protection sales are up 14pc on the same period last year while allergy remedies, including antihistamines, have experienced a 14pc increase on last year

Met Éireann meteorologist Eimear Flood said the good weather will continue into next weekend.

While today and tomorrow will see a noticeable dip in temperatures – with daytime highs of between 17C and 23C – temperatures will start to improve again by the end of the week when a high-pressure system is expected to return.

Temperatures are expected to move into the low to mid-20s by Friday and nudge even higher into the mid- to high 20s on Saturday and Sunday.

“The hottest day of the year could be challenged again next weekend, as temperatures reach high 20s in the south-east of the country on Sunday,” Ms Flood said.