With temperatures rising across the UK this week, transaction data from Square, the global payments platform, points to what’s coming for the UK hospitality sector.
During the last UK heatwave (Friday 22 to Monday 25 May 2026), Square transaction data recorded a 137% uplift in iced coffee purchases compared to the weekend before. Year-on-year, that same period delivered a 123% increase in iced coffee sales against the 2025 May Bank Holiday.
The five most purchased iced coffees that weekend were:
Iced Latte
Iced Coffee
Iced Americano
Iced Matcha Latte
Iced White Chocolate Matcha
John O’Beirne, CEO of Square International, said: “Few people read the market faster than a hospitality business owner, and the current heatwave is a prime opportunity for them to stock up on chilled drinks and the supplies required for iced coffees, so that they can cater for the demand.”
Separate consumer research commissioned by Square found that nearly half (47%) of people switch to an iced coffee when it’s hot. Gen Z is leading the charge, with 81% making the swap, followed by 74% of Millennials.
