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IS FOUL “SPRING” WEATHER
DISCOURAGING CLOTHING SALES?
By Christina Guzzo
Nothing has gotten northeasterners more anxious for spring weather quite like the snowy conditions and cold days that the area has been experiencing.
But is this foul weather drawing consumers away from purchasing the skimpy shorts and tank tops of the spring season?
Many college students agree that weather has an effect on their trips to the mall recently. Mary Patterson, 20, a college student from Milford, Connecticut, believes that warm weather influences her spending in a positive way.
“When it was really warm out a few weeks ago, I went to the mall and bought tons of spring clothes. Now that it’s so cold out, I really don’t want to. But I’m sure once it gets nice out again, people are going to want to spend a lot more on spring clothes, so spending really does depend on the weather,” said Patterson.
Jennifer Salt, a Fashion Design major at Marist College also feels that the nasty weather that the area has been dealing with would deter people from buying spring clothes.
“I think that the cold weather would make me think twice about buying a pair of shorts or a skirt because I think to myself, ‘ it’s so cold out, when am I going to get a chance to wear this?’ It’s April and it’s still snowing out. I am not even thinking about shorts and t-shirts, ” commented Salt.
However, regional retailers are not experiencing any problems selling their respective spring clothes.
Jodi Grady, manager of The Gap clothing store in Poughkeepise, NY, believes that weather is not affecting sales in her store.
“Sales in the store lately have been great,” commented Grady. “They are actually better than usual which makes me think people are just eager to buy new spring clothes regardless of the weather. However, sometimes it is a bit slow in the store when it is snowing outside.”