We like a moan up over here at the best of times but when the going gets really tough us Brits can show a stiff upper lip to keep Britain running. While the US has been half shut down through the cold winter snow and ice storms what many don’t realise is that after the weather systems are done with America they are usually sucked up into the gulf stream and Atlantic flows and dumped on our doorstep. We’ve had weeks of gales, rain and floods with plenty more on the way.
All of that has led to a boost in retail sales especially for wet weather gear. But are sand bags and water pumps top of the shopping list? Of course not! If we’re going to face bad weather we’re going to make sure we look good doing it. Among the usual suspects of wellies and pack-a-macs, waterproof mascara is up there as the must have wet weather essential. According to a John Lewis spokesperson, mascara has shown a “noticeable increase in sales” over the last few weeks. Umbrella sales are up 138% in JL and 76% in Argos while wellie sales are up 252% at Debenhams and hunter boots (whatever the hell those are) sales are up 146%
“I don’t care how many feet of water there is darling, I’m not leaving the house looking like this!
There’s going to be no doubt that the weather across the country (and to a lesser extent tube strikes in London) will affect retail sales, but that also might be countered with the increase in wet weather clothes and sundries, as well as the usual British irrational behaviour of cleaning out the supermarkets for fear of the apocalypse happening over a bit of wind and rain. Don’t get me wrong there have been many people badly effected and are still suffering horrendous conditions but when you get people living up big hills clearing out bread in Sainsburys for fear of flooding you’ve got to wonder.
Chez Canute holding up for now
Bloomberg has the details of the wet weather retail boom
