Cold remedies

Sales of cough and cold remedies have increased by 247 per cent compared with figures for this time last year, according to data from Boots The Chemists.

Sales of supplements more traditionally sold in the winter, such as echinacea, have also increased this summer, reaching the levels usually seen in November.

The wet weather has also led to a fall in sales of hayfever remedies, despite an early peak in April and May.