WAYNE, PA, August 4, 2009 - Planalytics Inc., the global leader in Business Weather Intelligence®, released its monthly WeatherCallSM report for July 2009 highlighting stark differences in regional temperatures across North America and the impact these conditions had on consumers and businesses. Overall, July temperatures were the coolest in 17 years, due in large part to lower mercury readings across much of the East. The cooler temperature regime proved challenging for businesses looking to move summer products including fans, pool chemicals, shorts and t-shirts. Conversely, there were some Western locations like San Antonio, Seattle and Phoenix that experienced record heat and increased demand for summertime goods and services.
The cooler temperatures experienced across large portions of North America were not a detriment to all businesses, however. Home Centers in particular received a boost as consumers, relieved from the usual summer heat, pursued more outdoor home improvement projects. Overall, weather was more favorable than last July for product categories such as paint, garden tools and plants.
"After a challenging June, businesses were faced with more of the same in July, particularly in the consuming East and Great Lakes. On a positive note, consumers and businesses in these areas benefited from these conditions by spending less on electricity bills due to fewer cooling degree days. Businesses that took advantage of summer product demand in the South and Pacific Northwest through targeted allocation, pricing, and product mix were able to benefit from regional weather opportunities," said Scott Bernhardt, Planalytics COO.
In Planalytics’ tracking of publicly traded companies, 81% of the businesses showed negative weather favorability compared to July 2008. The largest dips of year-on-year favorability were seen at Bon Ton Stores (BONT), New York & Co. (NWY), and Target Corporation (TGT).
Planalytics will be hosting a Business Weather Intelligence Symposium on Wednesday, August 26 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, AR. Speakers include Shell Lubricants, Nestle Waters, Alberto Culver, Jarden Consumer Solutions, General Electric and AMR Research. These companies will discuss how weather impacts sales of their products and share examples of how they work with their Walmart (WMT) counterparts to better align inventory with weather-driven shifts in consumer demand. For more information, visit www.planalytics.com/arvest.
About Planalytics
Planalytics Inc. (www.planalytics.com) is the singular global source of Business Weather Intelligence® – the actionable information retail, manufacturing, life sciences and energy 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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