Warm winter weather chills winter retail
Posted Jan 9, 2012 06:05:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Most Maritimers are enjoying the warmer-than-usual winter weather, but it’s putting a chill on business for some retailers who specialize in winter equipment.
January is continuing a trend of unusually warm temperatures that started in November. Dozens of people packed the Emera Oval for an afternoon skate in 5-degree weather and some laundry lines sprouted clothing and sheets under sunny skies.
But conditions that mean a break from shovelling and chipping for most of us mean a gloomy outlook for businesses that specialize in winter gear.
“First of all, the retailers are not selling a whole lot of ski equipment if there’s no snow on the hills,” said News 95.7’s meteorologist Richard Zurawski. “But the folks who rely on snow, like Martock and Wentworth and the ski hills, are also having a difficult time because they can’t even make the snow, it’s been so mild.”
While winter didn’t officially start until late December Maritimers are usually battling ice and snow daily from mid November until March.
Zurawski said, this year, there has been approximately one major snowfall per month with mild temperatures and rain the rest of the time. He added the South Shore has yet to have a cold snap this season.
“If I was ordering weather for you, I’d always order normal weather,” Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips told the Weekend Edition of Maritime Morning. “It’s good for retailing, it’s good for tourism and just embracing the season.”
As temperatures soared on Sunday, Rick Snyder, president of Mikes Bike Shop in Moncton, said he’s usually selling skis and snowshoes at this time of year.
“We seem to hear a lot of, ‘We’ll be back when there is snow,'” Snyder told Global News. “Because we are having cold temperatures, all the clothing is selling very well.”
Zurawski said winter is far from over and that he anticipates there will be more regular bouts of snow, although temperatures will continue to fluctuate.
Both Zurawski and Phillips agree temperatures are expected to be mild from now until September.
“Environment Canada’s gift to you, we’re calling for the summer, June, July, August to be warmer than normal,” said Phillips.
