Cool, rainy weather has hurt sales at many Metro Vancouver retailers, but those who have stores across the country say sales are lagging far more in the Prairies.
“It’s been a challenging spring, but as the weather improves we will see traffic improve in our stores,” Urban Barn president Linda Letts told Business in Vancouver May 26.
“Consumers are more enthusiastic and buoyant when it’s sunny,”
said Letts, who has 41 stores across Ontario and Western Canada.
She said sluggish sales also stem from high gasoline prices and food inflation, as well as the fact that many people still feel uncertain financially.
Mountain Equipment Co-op CEO David Labistour said his company’s sales have also been hurt, particularly in Manitoba and Quebec, where there has been flooding.
“Our summer specific season lines are a little soft,” he said. “That’s things such as swimwear and sunglasses.”
However, sales for all-season wear are holding steady.
Glen Korstrom
Twitter @GlenKorstrom
gkorstrom@bivcom