Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Mild weather slows traditional winter sales

Jan 11, 2023 | 3:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The owner of Redcliff’s Home Hardware store, Curtis Lamb, says winter items are on a pause this January following the milder temperatures.

Since the start of January, temperatures have been relatively warm in Medicine Hat. But with the milder temperatures, a change in consumers’ spending follows too.

“The business is extremely dependent on the weather, if it goes for warmer weather and colder weather. It also tends to trend to what the current situation is,” said Lamb.

“It’s definitely slowed down after Christmas once the temperatures warmed up,” he said.

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He says sales for shovels and snow blowers generally decline when it’s warm. Sales also ebb after the holidays when people cut back on spending.

“But it’s not like they are bananas, they don’t go bad. If there wasn’t snow and it was warmer, it’s probably going to slow down on shovels and stuff,” said Lamb.

The same can’t be said for other items, including electric blankets, heaters and shovels. These items, considered a necessity, continue to sell.

Lamb says keeping items stocked for when temperatures flip is what’s most challenging. And so much so that certain snow items remain unavailable following the cold snap back in November and December.

“In regards to the equipment, it’s almost unavailable except for some products that we have. But the bigger units, like stage 2 removal, are almost all unavailable,” he said.

He says, at this time, customers are more interested in smokers, smoker pellets and meat rubs, the items in line with the warmer temperatures.