Marks & Spencer is implementing new measures across its food outlets to combat extreme temperatures, following significant operational challenges during last month's heatwave.
The retailer confirmed it had "struggled" with searing heat reaching up to 45C.
Speaking at the company's annual general meeting in London, chief executive Stuart Machin disclosed to shareholders that refrigeration units in several M&S stores and foodhalls failed amidst the recent scorching conditions.
The group is now undertaking a comprehensive review of its cooling systems and committing investment to new, more robust equipment, anticipating even hotter weather in the years to come.
Mr Machin said: “There’s no doubt we were struggling in those nine days of extreme heat.
“Now we’re investing in equipment in our stores to deal with temperatures of 45C.
“We’re reviewing all our refrigeration as well.”
Food stores and supermarkets across the country had fridge issues during the June heatwave, during which temperatures reached a new high of 37.7C, beating the previous June record from the summer of 1976.
It is forecast that temperatures could rise to 45C or even higher in the future.
The Met Office warned last year there was a 50:50 chance temperatures could soar to 40C in the next 12 years, as the risk of extreme heat rises with climate change, while far higher temperatures of 45C or more “may be possible” in today’s climate.
The Met Office announced a “plausible” forecast for a heatwave in June 2056 which showed peaks of 45C in England, having hit 40C in the UK for the first time on record in 2022.
At the AGM M&S was urged to reinstate its pay in line with the real living wage, after it did not meet the benchmark following this year’s pay review.
Shareholder activists ShareAction, on behalf of 14 institutional investors, called on M&S to return worker pay to the real living wage, with which the retailer has previously been aligned for many years.
M&S increased pay by at least 6.4 per cent from April 1 for retail staff, boosting wages to £13.41 an hour nationwide, or £14.74 per hour for those based in London.
This left pay above the £12.71 UK-wide national minimum wage, but below the real living wage, which is a voluntary benchmark, designed to be calculated on the real cost of living, and is currently £13.45 an hour in the UK and £14.80 in London.
Catherine Howarth, chief executive of ShareAction, said: “We are concerned that the company’s most recent pay review has resulted in pay rates that no longer match the real living wage.”
She added: “The investors who have signed this statement encourage the company to build on its initial steps by strengthening its disclosures in line with shareholder expectations and by setting out a clear pathway towards ensuring all workers receive at least the real living wage again.”
M&S said while they look to be a sector leader in pay, they have faced surging cost pressures in recent years, such as the national insurance contribution hike and £40 million in new packaging taxes.
Chairman Archie Norman said the group may see pay aligned with the real living wage again “after next year”, but the group would “see how it goes”.
Mr Machin also announced that the group would open its biggest standalone food store on July 16 in Godalming, Surrey, with multi-temperature areas in herbs, organic and fruit, an in-store bakery and a kitchen shop.
