Next heatwave to hit amid a shortage of fans and air conditioners
In June, Galaxus sold more air conditioners and fans than in any single month before. The warehouses are largely empty, and fresh stock from Asia isn’t expected before the end of the season. And the next heatwave is already on its way.
If you’re looking for an air conditioner or a fan on Galaxus these days, you’ll need steady nerves – following the record heat in June, most models have sold out. At the same time, the next heatwave is already on the forecast. Customers will have to make do with whatever stock is left. Or keep sweating.
Sales at a record high
The shortage didn’t come out of nowhere: this June, Galaxus sold 38 per cent more air conditioners and 3 per cent more fans than in the previous record month of June 2025. In Switzerland alone, Galaxus customers bought five-figure quantities of each appliance type. And this June, Galaxus sold more fans than in the whole of 2024 – and almost as many air conditioners.
Growth was high over the half-year too: from January up to and including June 2026, Galaxus sold 36 per cent more air conditioners and 72 per cent more fans than in the same period the previous year.
«Nobody expects temperatures of 30 degrees or more to last for weeks on end,» says Samuel Lea, who’s responsible for the AC range at Galaxus. «Air conditioners and fans are impulse buys. As soon as the heat hits, demand explodes.» This year’s temperature peaks have been so intense that Galaxus’s warehouses are now almost empty. «Had availability been better, we could easily have sold even more devices,» says Samuel.
Restock trailing
Galaxus has placed additional orders with manufacturers and wholesalers. But warehouses in Europe have also largely been bought out. «As a result, stock will only trickle in over the coming weeks, and there’s not enough time for fresh supplies from Asia to reach us before the season ends,» says Samuel.
Despite the shortage, Galaxus isn’t raising prices: the online retailer is sticking to competitive market rates.
Customers spending more
Buying behaviour has changed: customers are increasingly reaching for pricier devices. The average selling price of an air conditioner this year is CHF 452, up from CHF 381 in 2025. The average price for fans is also up from CHF 75 to CHF 80. Price trends look similar in Galaxus’s EU shops. The CHF 500–700 price segment is growing especially fast. «Many people have realised that extreme summer heat is no longer the exception, but the new normal,» says Samuel Lea. «They’re deliberately investing in more powerful devices to use for years to come.»
Mobile split units triple their share
This trend is also apparent in device types. Over the last three years, mobile split air conditioners have tripled their share of sales, from 5 per cent (2024) to 16 per cent (2026). These units are quieter and more powerful than classic monoblock ACs, but usually cost more. With a 55-per-cent market share, monoblocks remain the most popular category, though they’re losing ground.
Time will tell just how hot summer 2026 will get. If you missed your chance to snag an AC or fan in time, you can take comfort in the fact that even the hottest summer will eventually end. That’s when all the monoblocks will be banished back to the basement. Until next June, that is.
At Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.
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