Retailers are keeping their fingers crossed for bumper Christmas sales but bad weather in the biggest shopping month of the year may take the shine off summer spending.
Although consumer confidence has hit a 10-year high, auguring well for a merry Christmas for retailers, two big retailers have issued profit warnings in the past few days.
The Warehouse said yesterday that it was feeling the same pressure on sales as other major retailers due to the unseasonally cool weather.
Listed retailers Postie Plus and Briscoes have issued downgrades to their full-year profit forecasts due to poor sales.
"It's hard to sell T-shirts and shorts when its about 8 degrees in Christchurch," said Briscoes managing director Rod Duke.
A third of its Rebel Sports' turnover was sports and leisure clothing sales.
"It is tough when it's very, very cold. Fortunately, our other categories are going well."
- NZPA
Weather knocks Christmas sales
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