This time last week I was desperately scouring the internet for the perfect summer shoes as the first of the spring sunshine streamed through the window. This week, I am (rather gratefully) back in my comfy winter boots, drying off my hair after a mad dash into the office in the pouring rain and thinking – what is happening with the UK climate?
If I am confused as to what to wear from day to day, I can only imagine how retailers approach the issue of merchandising their product. Capturing that consumer spend is such a time-sensitive issue, and having the perfect summer window display can be all it takes to inspire the spring shopper as her thoughts turn to her seasonal wardrobe.
No surprise at all then, the high street is awash with Easter displays and depictions of holiday fun, even though the streets are quite literally awash with rain. And maybe some snow at some point this week, if the weather reports are anything to go by.
Displays can of course be hurriedly changed as the weather takes an unexpected turn. Stands of brightly-coloured umbrellas can at least be placed more prominently, and any remnants of winter sale stock may at least be snapped up as the climate retreats into its wintery depths. When it comes to actual buying however, it’s all retailers can do to place their orders carefully for summer beach bags and flipflops, and hope for at least a sprinkling of summer sunshine in months to come (if not a host of holiday wardrobe shoppers heading off for sunnier climes).
It’s all part of being British and, amid the furore over fuel price hikes and pasty taxes, it’s also one thing that we cannot blame on the Government. Good weather is indiscriminate, a bonus and – all too often – a complete surprise for those of us living and working here in the UK, so let’s try and literally look on the bright side and hope there’s a summer yet to come.
Christina Williams, editor, FE magazine x
