Weekly Weather Flash February 19 March 4 US This Week: A Warm End to February; Heavy Rain in the West A Look Ahead: Temperatures Vary Across the US; Cold and Stormy in the West Europe This Week: Temperatures than Normal; Rain Across Most of Europe A Look Ahead: Warm Temperatures Persist; in the East
February 24, 2017 US Week of February 19 25 Retail implications: A warm end to February will support early spring purchasing across the eastern part of North America. Last year this week, the US was warm: The US saw the warmest end to February since 2000. Rainfall was the most for the week since 1998, but snowfall was the least since 2000. Presidents Day, which fell a week earlier, was the warmest since 2005 and saw the most precipitation since 1998. 5% Capris Spring surge: Temperatures will average much warmer than normal and last year across eastern regions, spurring eager shoppers to purchase spring goods. The early spring demand will be strongest in the Southeast, where temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s. A cold surge will push east across the Plains and Midwest late in the week. Heavy rain in the West: Another potent Pacific system is expected to inundate the West through the middle of the week. Heavy rain and mountain snow will continue to negatively impact consumer traffic, while colder temperatures compared with last year will support sales of winter clearance items. Eastern storm later in the week: After a drier start to the week in eastern regions, a winter storm is expected later in the week in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Severe weather is possible in the Southeast and Tennessee Valley. Storms will bring rain to the East Coast by the weekend. 2
February 24, 2017 US Week of February 26 March 4 Retail implications: Warmth in the East will drive seasonal purchasing. Varying temperatures across the country will result in strong early spring demand for categories ranging from lawn fertilizer to short-sleeved shirts in certain regions. Last year, the US was warm: Last year saw the warmest start to March since 2004, with the greatest temperature anomalies seen in the western half of the country. The US had its driest first week of March since 2010 and snowfall was well below average. 5% Sandals Varying temperatures across the country: After a colder start to the week, the eastern half of the US is likely to see temperatures surge again. Temperature anomalies of 10 F to 20 F are possible. Cold in the West: In the West, the continuation of a colder trend versus normal and last year will deter shoppers awaiting springlike weather. Stormy start: Early in the week, another round of Pacific storms will enter the West and push east through the week. Flooding and severe weather are possible for some states. 3
February 24, 2017 Europe Week of February 19 25 Umbrellas Coffee Turkey Sweden Retail implications: Mild weather conditions across Europe will boost demand for early spring items. Very mild for February: -than-normal temperatures will cover most of Europe this week. Cool temperatures will hold in the Southeast and seasonable temperatures will push into the West by the weekend. Becoming wetter: A pair of fronts will bring rain to much of Europe. Some snow is also likely as the leading edge of the precipitation runs up against a cold air mass in the East. 4
February 24, 2017 Europe Week of February 26 March 4 Rainwear Gardening Great Britain Norway Retail implications: Although volumes will be low, positive demand for early spring products is expected for most of Western Europe and Scandinavia. Warm beginning of March: The very mild temperatures seen in late February will persist across much of Europe into March. conditions will linger in the Southeast. Drying out: Western Europe will dry out, but showers will continue across Central and Eastern Europe during the week. 5
February 24, 2017 Deborah Weinswig, CPA Managing Director Fung Global Retail & Technology New York: 917.655.6790 Hong Kong: 852.6119.1779 China: 86.186.1420.3016 deborahweinswig@fung1937.com Zane Yang Research Assistant Hong Kong: 8th Floor, LiFung Tower 888 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: 852 2300 4406 London: 242-246 Marylebone Road London, NW1 6JQ United Kingdom Tel: 44 (0)20 7616 8988 New York: 1359 Broadway, 9th Floor New York, NY 10018 Tel: 646 839 7017 FungGlobalRetailTech.com 6