Retailers miss the chill factor as Winter warmers fail to sell

BRITAIN has basked in balmy temperatures over recent weeks during what has been a very warm autumn for the northern hemisphere as a whole.

- Rhiannon Curry

Met Office figures suggest that last month was the seventh warmest October since records began in 1884, and temperatures could reach 18C in some parts of the country over the coming days, say forecasters - remarkable for the second week of November.

Great for energy bills as there have been few days chilly enough to warrant central heating.

But not so good, in fact pretty awful, for parts of the high street Many British shoppers have delayed buying coats, boots and hats and other cold weather gear - heaping pain on an already under-pressure retail sector.

Many fashion brands often introduce autumn/winter ranges well ahead of the season arriving, which means an Indian summer could mean they have to discount these ranges to make sure they hit sales targets for the period.

Indeed, such is the close link between retail sales and the weather that the Met Office suggests that a two degree drop in minimum temperature can increase sales by more than 6%.