Anyone else getting tired of talking about dreary, stormy, cold weather?
 
Well, it will still be one of the topics at hand this week when most retailers release their March sales results on Thursday.
 
Granted, the biggest challenge for most retailers not named Wal-Mart is a U.S. economy that may well be in recession. (Wal-Mart has been getting a bit of a boost as people trade down from other retailers to shop in its stores — although they’re mainly shopping in Wal-Mart’s grocery category, which has lower margins than other goods.)
 
But a little bit of sunshine might help.
 
Planalytics said temperatures in North America were the fourth coolest in the past 10 years, with the Pacific Northwest and the middle of the country being among the coolest regions.
 
There was also snow as far south as Dallas, while heavy rains fell in the Northeast.
 
“Even with the earliest Easter in 95 years, the weather kept spring purchasing depressed to last year,” Fred Fox, Planalytics President & CEO, said. “In addition to seasonal demand being down to last year, overall foot traffic was negatively impacted by significant precipitation and snow events.”
 
Maybe things would get better if everyone sang “Rain, rain, go away?”

(Photo: Reuters)