Sweltering weather causes run on fans

Photo / Thinkstock

Retailers are struggling to keep up with demand for portable fans as customers seek relief from uncomfortably warm temperatures across the country.

Group managing director of Briscoes Group Rod Duke said fans in some regions, such as Wellington, had been sold out for two weeks or more and Auckland was desperately short of stock after the abnormally humid summer.

Sales in Canterbury had also been particularly strong but he was not sure if this was because of high temperatures or because people were replacing fans damaged in the September earthquake and aftershocks.

"I would be surprised if there was a fan left in Timaru," said Mr Duke.

Ordering more fans was not an option as they would take at least 30 days to arrive and demand was not likely to be as strong next month.

Zone manager at Mitre 10 Mega in Mt Wellington Edmond Yee said portable fans had been flying out the door of the East Auckland store during the past week as temperatures reached 25C and humidity levels continue to hover just under 100 per cent.

Mr Yee said the 1-metre-high pedestal fans, ranging in price from $19.88 to around $50, had been the biggest seller.

"I would say there has been a similar pattern all around Auckland and the Upper North Island. We will most likely see strong sales through to the end of February."

Portable air-conditioning units were also selling well, however Mr Yee said their relatively high cost - the most expensive is just under $1000 - made them a "planned expense".

A spokesperson for The Warehouse said the company's 86 retailers had also experienced high fan sales since the end of November with many stores left with only a limited range.

Staff at The Warehouse in Timaru said fans had been popular but there were still some in stock, even after the weekendwhen temperatures reached a record high of 40C.

Relief from the humid weather in Auckland and the Upper North Island is on the way thanks to a cold front that is moving up the country.

Chief analyst at Weatherwatch Philip Duncan said lower levels of humidity and cool easterly winds would make the temperature feel about 10C cooler than it had been over the past week.

But don't put away the fans just yet - the weather is set to turn muggy again at the weekend with rain and more humidity.