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Planalytics United Kingdom WeatherCall Report: A Cool April was Too Much to Handle for the High Street |
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7 May 2008
Planalytics Inc., the global leader in Business Weather Intelligence®, released its April WeatherCallSM report stating the coolest April since 2001 was a large hurdle for most retailers. Many businesses will have very difficult year-on-year comparisons as sales of spring/summer products were significantly aided by record breaking warmth in April 2007. This negative impact will be even greater for companies that made the mistake of planning this year's sales off of last year's weather.
This April increased demand for items like cough & cold and hot breakfast cereals were evidence that winter was far from finished. The last weekend of the month showed a ray of hope for the Midlands and southeast as consumers enjoyed plenty of sunshine and afternoon temperatures reaching between 20 and 22 degrees. However, northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland could not break free from gloomy, rainy conditions, keeping people from shopping the high streets.
“At a product level, many spring seasonal lines are showing drops in weather driven demand between 30% and 40% against last year’s strong numbers,” commented Steve Speck, Senior Business Meteorologist for Planalytics Europe. “Combine this with an April Easter last year and retailers are looking at even more significant decreases,” said Speck.
Planalytics WeatherCall Report showed positive year-on-year weather driven demand indices for the following product categories on a national level: Waterproof Outerwear (+75%). Negative year-on-year indices were calculated for T-shirts (-32%) and Garden Furniture (-36%) product categories.
For more information, contact Planalytics Europe at +44 (0) 20 7321 3715.
About Planalytics Inc.
Planalytics Inc. (www.planalytics.com) is the singular global source of Business Weather Intelligence – the actionable information companies need to understand and optimize the impact of weather on their business. Weather is the most volatile of all external factors affecting business performance and Planalytics helps companies proactively manage this risk. Powered by an unparalleled database of weather’s financial and volumetric impacts, proprietary modeling technologies and market-specific expertise, Planalytics’ Business Weather Intelligence is essential to any company, in any industry, looking to effectively shape strategies, pinpoint opportunities and make more profitable decisions.
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