Bottled water is running out at corner shops as stocks dry up in the heatwave.
Although supplies were already low, soaring demand during the record temperatures has led to some wholesalers limiting the amount they sell to convenience stores.
Major brands including Evian, Volvic, Highland Spring and Buxton have been affected, particularly larger sizes and multi-packs, said The Grocer.
The trade journal added: ‘Disruption to wholesale supply began earlier this year following a raft of manufacturing and logistical issues, as well as labour shortages. However, as the heatwave spiked demand it has depleted availability further.
Bottled water is in high demand and short supply as stocks across the UK start to dwindle
‘One wholesaler told us that its availability on bottled water was currently at 20 per cent, with Evian, Volvic, Highland Spring and Buxton all out of stock.
‘The shortage has forced some wholesalers to put caps in place to manage stock control.’
The limit is believed to be three cases per store per week but one retailer told the magazine: ‘This wouldn’t last a day.’
In the meantime, shopkeepers are buying more stock of niche and cheaper water brands in an effort to avoid losing custom.
However, this impacts on their profits, with one retailer saying: ‘The shortage during this warm weather has cost us sales and the great availability we offer.
‘Our customers don’t fully understand the many issues that we are currently facing.’
Yesterday, Tesco and Asda were out of stock online for some own label and branded water.
Tesco in Evesham, Worcestershire, lately had low stock levels of bottled water.
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, the other two Big Four stores, seemed to have better stock.
There are presently no large shops restricting water, although there have been tales of intermittent restrictions in certain regions during the hotter months earlier this summer.
A hosepipe restriction by Yorkshire Water began on Friday, while one by Thames Water went into place last Wednesday, impacting 15 million people.
They execute prohibitions with Welsh Water, Southern Water, South East Water, and South West Water.
In the whole UK, hosepipe use is forbidden for more than 29.4 million clients.