Normally during this time of the year, retailers are busy stocking their shelves with merchandise to help consumers prepare for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Outdoor items, bathing suits, beach gear – these are all things merchants offer around this time. However, prolonged cold weather both in the United States and Europe is putting sales on hold for many businesses.

Retailers in South Dakota, which is currently experiencing colder-than-normal temperatures, are struggling to sell the summer-themed items that line their shelves, reports Keloland.com. Some businesses have removed their merchandise for warmer months and put back the winter products, which has made many customers happy. However, some companies still insist on putting out items for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in the hope that the frigid weather will pass soon, the source reports.

Regional retailers in the United States are not the only ones currently experiencing this below-normal temperature challenge. According to Bloomberg, merchants in the United Kingdom are also seeing sales decline due to chilly conditions. Consumers held off on buying summer clothing and related items as cold weather gripped the country in March, causing sales totals to fall 0.7 percent from the previous month.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at 7:16 am .