Change in weather bodes well for retail sales

Winter is coming — and not just to “Game of Thrones.”



A blast of cold air will move from the West Coast and across North America next week (Dec. 5-11), fueling demand for outerwear, gloves, hats, sweaters, heaters, and blankets, according to weather analytics company Planalytics.



The cold air is expected to reach the major cities of the East Coast by next weekend, sending temperatures below normal, and also below the freezing point in many markets, Planalytics said. And that’s not all — the winter weather will be accompanied by a risk of snow in Canada and throughout the northern U.S., which will drive demand for snow throwers, ice melt, shovels, firewood, and warm foods.



Planalytics estimates that the colder conditions next week will lift apparel store sales by $107 million over the same-period last year, which was unusually warm in many markets.