Severe winter weather across parts of Europe has driven an unusually sharp surge in demand for snow sledges, pushing retailers into shortages and forcing suppliers to accelerate production to keep pace.

In Hungary, major retail chains reported that sledge inventories were rapidly exhausted as significant snowfall persisted in recent days.

Sporting goods and general retailers saw demand rise so quickly that shelves emptied in short order, with customers buying sledges at a pace more commonly associated with holiday essentials than seasonal leisure equipment.

Sales figures shared by retailers indicate that Decathlon sold nearly seven thousand eight hundred sledges in Hungary since December thirtieth, averaging more than one per minute during peak periods.

Tesco also recorded a steep rise in demand, with buying activity described as close to double recent levels.

The surge has not been confined to Hungary.

A Danish manufacturer received approximately thirty-three thousand orders for plastic sledges within about thirty-six hours, prompting continuous production to meet delivery expectations.

The rapid sellouts highlight how quickly European consumer demand can shift when weather conditions change from routine winter to sustained, snow-heavy disruption.