As I write this article in February, I am looking at daffodils growing in the garden. December 2015 saw one of the mildest on record with the
highest ever night-time temperatures recorded for December.
The mild temperature presents challenges for retailers, especially those who have been trying to sell winter coats.
Most high street shop owners will understand that the weather can affect sales. If you want to sell umbrellas, make sure you have them displayed when it’s raining.
It’s this kind of insight that retailers use when trying to sell there products.
Here are some golden nuggets to consider
A 10 degree rise on a summer weekend can mean customers want 300 per cent more barbecue meat and 50 per cent more coleslaw – but demand for green vegetables will fall by 25 per cent.
The stormy weather of 2014 increased sales of wellies at Debenhams by 252%. Sales of umbrellas jumped by 67%.
If you sell waterproof mascara, then you could see sales increase when it gets wet.
What about hair removal cream? Tesco sees hair removal cream sales jump 1400% after the first hot spell, as ladies bring short skirts out of the wardrobe.
The hotter the better? Not necessarily, Ice cream sales plateau around 25C and then Ice Lollies take over.
When the temperature rises to 20c to 24c sales of hamburgers will increases at Tesco’s
But it’s not just hot weather – cold weather brings on sales of cauliflower soup, longlife milk, sausages and root vegetables soar.
• Barbecue sales triple in Scotland when temperatures rise above 20°C (68°F). In London, however, the figure is 24°C (75°F).