With temperatures reaching unseasonal highs this weekend, shops are bracing themselves for what experts are calling the "latest full-on barbecue weekend ever." Normally, most people would have packed away their grilling tools by this time of year, but the combination of fine and dry weather and temperatures expected to reach up to 27C has sparked a run on barbecue essentials at supermarkets.
Barbecue Enthusiasts Take Advantage of the Unexpected Sunshine
While some dedicated grillers might barbecue in October, it is unusual to see such widespread barbecuing at this time of year. Rupert Bates, of BBQ Magazine, notes that the warm weather has inspired many to fire up their barbecues this weekend.
Supermarkets Predict Rise in Sales of Barbecue Favorites
Tesco, which uses a system to predict sales based on temperature changes and sunshine hours, expects to sell a staggering 300,000 packs of sausages, one million packs of burgers, and three million cans of beer between Friday and Sunday. Additionally, they anticipate high demand for wine, strawberries, cream, and ice cream.
Online grocer Ocado has also seen a significant increase in barbecue-related searches this week, with a 31% rise in barbecue searches and a 21% increase in demand for burgers. Ready-to-serve drinks such as canned cocktails have also experienced a 17% growth compared to last year.
Enjoying the Unexpected Sunshine
Tara Darbari, of Tesco, sees this warm weather as an opportunity for people to make the most of the unexpected sunshine. She believes that many will take advantage of the "feel good factor" by spending time in their gardens and enjoying a barbecue.
So, dust off those grills and stock up on your favorite barbecue treats because this weekend is shaping up to be the ultimate barbecue bonanza!
