MOSCOW, July 7 Demand for fans in Russia at the end of June increased by 80% compared to the same period last year amid abnormal heat, and sales of air conditioners also increased, according to calculations by the OFD Platform company.
«Comparison for June 24 — July 2, 2024/2023, Russian Federation. … Air conditioners — median price 33,220 rubles, 20% higher than last year. The number of purchases is 55% higher compared to last year. Fans — median the price is 2,340 rubles, 14% higher than last year. The number of purchases is 80% higher than last year,” the company reported. In turn, during the period from May to June this year, sales of fans increased by 61%, and air conditioners — by 45%. 
“In anticipation of high temperatures in mid-summer and pro-inflationary factors, many rushed to purchase climate control equipment in advance. This was also facilitated by the plans of a large part of the townspeople to spend their holidays at the dacha or at home, in comfortable conditions,” it added.
At the same time, sales of food products, the demand for which traditionally increases with the arrival of summer, also increased — from June 24 to July 2, sales of juices and soft drinks increased by 47%, still water — by 66%, and ice cream — by 32%.
Company experts note that the growth in sales of soft drinks, water and ice cream ensures an increase in the volume of domestic tourism and independent travel, as well as the technologization of sales of such products and the development of distribution. “The highest growth rates in sales of such products are in centers of attraction for vacationer traffic. They are sold both in the traditional way and through vending machines,” noted the OFD Platform.
On Wednesday, the scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, Roman Vilfand, told the agency that heat comparable to that of Turkey will come to the Astrakhan region this week, and abnormally high temperatures are also predicted in all federal districts of Russia.
Hot weather has overtaken a number of regions before this — for example, heat up to 41 degrees was expected from Tuesday to Friday in the Volgograd region, and temperatures up to plus 35 degrees (from Wednesday) — in eight districts of the Komi Republic, as well as in Syktyvkar. In Moscow on Tuesday the air warmed up to plus 31 degrees — this day became the hottest for July 2 for the entire period of meteorological observations at VDNKh since 1949.
