Covid-style queues return after people rush to buy air con units from Lidl

People enduring the UK’s record-breaking heatwave have tried to find respite in Lidl’s bargain air conditioning unit.

But with the systems retailing for just £149, stores sold out quickly – leaving shoppers up in arms.

Long queues were seen outside branches in Hampshire and Warwick despite the mind-numbing heat as temperatures soared above 30C.

Many people in the crowds wanted to secure one of the viral middle aisle units, Tronic-3-in-1, but were left empty-handed.

The portable home cooling system is designed to dehumidify and ventilate rooms and were reportedly due to go out on sale today, but were put on shelves a day early.

Follow Metro’s live heatwave coverage here

Shoppers at Lidl Hedge End in Hampshire waited in line in the sizzling heat, only to be told that the items were all gone.

Lidl branches in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and Southampton are said to have sold out too.

Frustrated shoppers claimed on social media that their stores had either not stocked the units or put them out a day before they were due to go out on sale.  

One customer in Portishead alleged: ‘Well done Lidl, how to piss your customer off.

‘Advertise the air conditioning units for sale from 25/6/26, and put them all out the day before. So many unhappy customers this morning, who got up early especially to buy them.’ 

There were also reports of people buying multiple units in one visit.

One person said: ‘Got there 8:02 headed in and was still in stock HOWEVER people were buying multiple which meant the woman in front of me got the last one  

‘Wasted journey, greed and no policy for one per customer. 

‘Back to cooking it is.’ 

Another shopper said they had gone to the High Wycombe store today at 7.20am and were the first in the store.

They claimed that the manager said the store had not received any units, leaving ’50 angry customers.’

Metro has approached Lidl for comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.

For more stories like this, check our news page.