US Markets
Home›US Markets›Sectors›UK retailers run short of solar eclipse glasses ahead…
UK retailers run short of solar eclipse glasses ahead of Wednesday
The Royal Observatory Greenwich said it sold out of eclipse glasses due to an unprecedented volume of orders, leaving some online shoppers facing delivery delays until the end of the week.
A surge in demand for protective eyewear ahead of Wednesday’s partial solar eclipse has left UK high street stores running short of specialized eclipse glasses, with some shoppers being told deliveries may not arrive until the end of the week. The Royal Observatory Greenwich said it has sold out of solar eclipse glasses both online and in its shops.
Online and in-store availability has varied, with consumer guidance stressing that ordinary sunglasses are not safe to use for eclipse viewing. Some retailers showed items as unavailable, while others promoted eclipse glasses at lower prices but still faced stockouts, according to the report.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich attributed the shortage to an unprecedented volume of orders. It also noted that while Wednesday’s event is now affected, the next comparable UK eclipse is in 2081.
Go Stargazing founder Neill Sanders said the issue is more about lack of planning than an overall shortage, adding that he had imported 300,000 pairs from the US and sent out 100,000 in the prior few weeks. Guardian Business reported that people have been making last-minute calls and messages seeking glasses for themselves and relatives.