Canadian Tire expects sales of fans and air conditioners to drastically increase with a heat wave on the way

By Tommy Osborne

Heat Wave

Incoming heat wave could mean good things for local business

Jul 4, 2024 | 4:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – An impending heat wave has many community members preparing for the heat, which has local businesses like Canadian Tire anticipating a big boost in sales.

“We’re starting to get some activity and some interest. I think what we’ve seen over the last couple of years with some of the heat domes and significant heat, weather, people are starting to preplan and make sure that they’re going to be both safe and comfortable. So, even for ourselves, we have ordered more air conditioners than ever before,” said Canadian Tire General Manager David Shuvera.

While it’s going to get quite hot in just a couple of days, Shuvera says sales of air conditioners and fans have actually been quite low so far due to a rainy, colder season up to this point. However, this has led to sales increases in other areas, helping balance out the lack of other sales.

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“The rain is good for the environment, great for the gardens. And the grass is growing like crazy. We’ve seen some fantastic sales and a lot of those outdoor, products, lawn mowers and lawn tractors and things like that,” Shuvera said.

Environment Canada says the impending heat wave will bring daytime highs “10 to 12 degrees above normal,” but it won’t be a heat dome so a prolonged heat wave isn’t anticipated. While an extended streak of 30+ degree days is unlikely, Shuvera still expects the temperatures to pick up, further boosting sales.

“I still think we’re early enough in the year that we’re going to get the perfect set of series, of weather events. And customers can come in and get what they need to take care of themselves at home,” he said.

While the heat is certainly welcome for some businesses, it does also come with a topic that’s been at the forefront of B.C. summers for years: wildfires. The impending heat wave certainly brings additional risk to starting or prolonging wildfires, but the Prince George Fire Centre isn’t sounding any alarm bells for now.

“The increased heat dries out the duff layer first, which facilitates the spread of fires that already exist, as well as the start of new ones that are potentially activated by lightning strikes or by human activity,” explained Fire Information Officer Adam Nicholas.

Nicholas added the Fire Centre will be monitoring the situation closely, as the intense heat would dry out the ground faster than normal, but all the rain the area has seen so far will certainly help prevent fires. However, Nicholas adds its always important to take fire safety precautions, as the recent rain doesn’t negate several years of drought like conditions.

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