German retailers run out of fans and mobile AC units as heatwave pushes temperatures past 30°C

Retail stock evaporates

A survey by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) found that fans and mobile air-conditioning units are largely sold out across Germany as consumers rush to cope with a heatwave pushing temperatures above the 30°C mark. The German Weather Service has forecast tropical nights, driving demand that retailers describe as explosive. Steffen Kahnt, managing director of the Federal Association for Technology in Retail (BVT), said the devices are now almost completely unavailable.

Chain-by-chain availability

Hornbach reports only isolated fans remain and mobile AC units are gone, with no delivery date for replenishment. At Bauhaus, individual models are regionally sold out and others available only in limited quantities. A spokesperson stated that while stores are currently receiving new goods, "no further quantities are expected this summer" and new orders will not arrive until autumn. MediaMarktSaturn confirmed very high demand, especially for mobile AC units, and said after the current restock no further deliveries are expected for the summer season.

Due to the ongoing heat period, we continue to see very high demand for fans and air-conditioning units.

Euronics said demand often exceeds supply, with some models only available in limited quantities or sold out, though further deliveries are expected in the coming weeks. Otto still has sufficient stock of fans and AC units, though particularly cheap devices were briefly sold out and should return within two weeks. Expert noted that many devices are now sold out, with only isolated residual stock available in individual stores, though regular replenishments are arriving.

Why retailers were caught short

Euronics stated that "the extent of this development was difficult to foresee." Demand planning is based on experience and sales figures from previous years, and comparably prolonged heat periods have been the exception until now. Kahnt explained that affordable, good-quality devices cannot be delivered at the push of a button: production and transport need time. Retailers cannot maintain huge stockpiles for hot weeks because "that would cause enormous storage costs and tie up a lot of capital," with the risk that devices could sit in warehouses until the next summer or even the one after.

That would cause enormous storage costs and tie up a lot of capital.

Alternatives and outlook

Consumers can turn to permanently installed split air-conditioning systems, which are generally more powerful and efficient but also more expensive. However, these offer no quick relief right now. With most major chains confirming that summer-season restocks are the last, households seeking immediate cooling will have to hunt for residual stock at individual stores or wait for autumn deliveries.