Swiss retailers are reporting record sales of air conditioners, portable coolers and fans as the country endures another intense heatwave, but shoppers are also facing higher prices, with the average cost of an air conditioner up almost 20% compared to last year.
Online retailer Galaxus said the average selling price of an air conditioner this year is CHF 452, up from CHF 381 in 2025. The average price for fans has also risen, from CHF 75 to CHF 80.
One user bought a portable air conditioner before the heatwave started at CHF300, and saw the price of the same device more than triple to CHF 999 within a week.
Retailers say buying behaviour has shifted: customers are increasingly reaching for pricier, more powerful devices. The CHF 500–700 price segment is growing especially fast, according to Galaxus. Over the last three years, mobile split air conditioners have tripled their share of sales, from 5% in 2024 to 16% in 2026.
“The heat and the repeated heatwaves are clearly changing people’s behaviour,” said Samuel Lea, a Galaxus spokesperson.
Read More: Heatwave Hits Switzerland: Temperatures May Soar To 35
Swiss Heatwave Causes Record Sales, Tight Supply
In June alone, Galaxus sold 38% more air conditioners and 3% more fans than in the previous record month of June 2025. Over the first half of the year, sales of air conditioners were up 36% and fans up 72% compared to the same period in 2025.
Interdiscount, another major electronics retailer, said sales of cooling devices in June were more than double the level of the previous year, and seven times higher than in June 2024. Consumer electronics chain Brack reported that its revenue from air conditioners in the first half of 2026 was about two-and-a-half times higher than a year earlier.
Despite the surge in demand, some retailers are struggling to keep devices in stock. Galaxus reported that supply from Asia has been tight, with some popular models temporarily out of stock.
Despite the price increases, demand remains strong. “Customers don’t seem to be deterred by rising prices when it comes to buying cooling devices,” said Lea.
Several factors are pushing prices higher. Record heatwaves in 2025 and 2026 have made cooling devices a near-necessity for many households. Tight supply chains and delayed shipments from Asian manufacturers have limited availability of popular models. Consumers are opting for more expensive, energy-efficient units, which raises the average selling price.
Switzerland Recorded Hottest June On Record In 2026
The surge in cooling device sales comes as Switzerland grapples with increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. The country recorded its hottest June on record in 2026, with 19 weather stations posting all-time high temperatures.
The trend is likely to continue. According to Swiss climate scenarios, Switzerland must expect significantly more frequent and intense heat events in the future.
