Retail WeatherSpend℠: October 2025

Weather-driven sales opportunities shifted significantly during the month, but overall, many retail sectors benefited from a more favorable weather backdrop in October 2025 than a year ago. Favorable weather, compared to LY, generally supported spending at sporting goods chains, shoe retailers, and department stores in the U.S. in October. Conversely, a negative “weather comp” dampened sales in sectors such as home furnishings, restaurants, and paint stores.

The following WeatherSpend metrics quantify the impact of weather on topline sales in different markets and retail sectors compared to October 2024.

The first two weeks were largely colder than LY in the West and warmer than LY in the East. Fall sales soared in the West as the colder air, combined with ample rainfall, drove seasonal demand and traffic into apparel retailers. Seasonal spending strength then shifted later in the month when the East saw colder comps and the West trended warmer.

For the month overall, temperatures were cooler than last year and the coolest since 2020.  Precipitation levels were the highest since 2021, though there was no significant snowfall and no hurricanes hit the U.S. mainland.

Contact Planalytics to learn more about how weather analytics can help your business.