Sales of fans and paddling pools had also increased at The Warehouse, particularly in the South Island, which had been experiencing a warmer than usual summer, Jenny Epke, general manager of merchandise at the retailer, said.
"Sales started ramping up earlier than expected as the warm weather hit in November. This carried on throughout Christmas and in to the New Year – particularly in the South Island," Epke said.
Dehumidifiers and air conditioning units had also proven popular, with sales in the large appliances and standard fans doubling from the same time a year earlier.
The early onset of summer and hotter than normal temperatures sent demand for ice cream and ice blocks soaring, Tip Top director Kim Ballinger said.
"We sold close to a million more sticks of Fruju, and the new L&P Fruju was extremely popular with sales double initial expectations," Ballinger said.
Choc Bar sales jumped 35 per cent and Jelly Tips were up 28 per cent on last year.
Sales at brewing giant Lion were up 20 per cent in the first two weeks of December, and it struggled to keep up with demand ahead of Christmas.
The market was up about 10 per cent in December compared to a year before, Lion said.
Corona, a "perennial summer favourite", was up 25 per cent, Lion spokeswoman Genevieve O'Halloran said. Craft beer also surged with Panhead sales up 70 per cent and Emerson's up 50 per cent.
The hot weather also worked in floating bean bag company So Float's favour, pushing up sales from the middle of November to the middle of January more than 300 per cent.
Demand last summer dropped significantly in January, founder Dave Roberts said, but this year sales were steady.
