Retail pushing seasons

[MichelleVW]

I used to live in Alaska where we had snow until April or May and you couldn't find winter clothes in the stores up there in January!!! It was insane....

 

[puffkin]

I think it is more exaggerated this year due to the economy and stores not buying a lot of inventory. They didn't want to get stuck with racks and racks of coats in April, so they just didn't buy as many to begin with. Then, if they sell the coats, they need to put "something" in that space....retail stores will never leave shoppable areas unmerchandised. Retail stores have to work months in advance due to their suppliers and buyers, so if they are receiving summer stock...out it goes. Its a no win situation.

 

[FireDancer]

The winter stuff being gone is a pain though. My guess is they didn't want to over buy and have a lot of 90% clearance gloves in April. I personally enjoy stocking up on the clearance gloves at the end of the season as I know my DD will loose multiple sets during the year. Doesn't look like there will be any left for that though.

Also keep in mind that seasonal buying is done months in advance and no one knew what the economy was going to be like. Consumer spending had been down so many retail establishments didn't want to have a bunch of stock sitting on their shelves or on their books as a liability. There was a very bearish feeling about the holiday shopping season that, at least on the face of it, appeared to be overly conservative.

If the local weather man has taught us anything it is the forecasting is not exact and determining stock levels involves a lot of forecasting.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

We get a free little "neighborhood" paper where I live; it contains an area called "Speak Out." Readers can anonymously write in whatever they want and their "rant" or comment will be printed. There is a "rant" this week about someone going to the grocery store, managing to get his/her cart around the employee stocking the candy shelves for Valentine's Day, but then almost slamming into the Easter candy display!

I remember the days when clothing stores had a small area year-round called "Resort Wear" - bathing suits and other summer wear. It actually was quite tiny, though, and usually in a corner of the store.

 

[mom2maggie]

This is one of my biggest pet peeves about retail! I need boots, gloves, sweaters, flannel in WINTER...not summer!

 

[ericamanda01]

Yes I hate it too! I bought candy for Christmas stockings and then couldn't remember where I hid it I went to Eckerd to buy more a week before Christmas and they had no good Christmas candy left. Not a single Hershey kiss even. Only a very tiny bit of yucky stuff. They did have a full aisle of Valentine's candy. I guess it was better than seeing an empty aisle. A little more seasonal inventory please!

I couldn't agree more. It seemed like Target ran out of everything a week before Christmas this year. I went to buy more lights a couple weeks before Christmas and they were completely sold out. Then on Christmas eve I went to buy candy and the same thing happened, they had NONE. I don't care how early they have stuff out, but at least have enough to last the season.

 

[WriteDisney]

THANK YOU!!!!! This is a common rant of mine. I don't NEED a swimsiut. I DO NEED some waterproof gloves. Can I find the gloves? No! I should have thought about the gloves in August - but since I was swimming in my pool, I didn't think about gloves!

I know!! I seriously hate this. Its ridiculous but completely true. I was looking for bathing suits in late July and there were hardly any left at that point.

 

[lsyorke]

And then they complain that no one is buying anything....uh, DUH!!

 

[eliza61]

Swimsuits are getting ready for spring break trips. The winter stuff being gone is a pain though. My guess is they didn't want to over buy and have a lot of 90% clearance gloves in April. I personally enjoy stocking up on the clearance gloves at the end of the season as I know my DD will lose multiple sets during the year. Doesn't look like there will be any left for that though.

That use to be known as cruise wear. That was a distinctive section and they would still have winter stuff available.

 

[WDWBarb]

We're expecting a snow storm here this week and the temperatures have been bitterly cold. One of the local newcasters mentioned earlier this week on their show that they stopped to buy a hat and gloves and there were simply none to be found. Not very practical!!

 

[LilyWDW]

I don't care how early they have stuff out, but at least have enough to last the season.

And how does a store know how much inventory that would be? Especially during a Christmas season that follows a period of noticeable decline in sales? Ordering is done MONTHS in advance... even a year in advance. Once those orders in incoming and in stores, it's not like the stores can just order more. Especially with seasonal merchandise.

Once inventory hits a limit, the companies will put items on clearance. This is especially true with clothing as you end up with what is called broken sizes. It seems that stores went through their inventory before and during the holidays.

As things sell, they put out the next season's merchandise. I mean, which is worse... having next season's merchandise out or having large areas empty?

 

[JessicaR]

I hate this too! The other day I went to Sports Authority for snow pants - nope none! Had to come home and order them online, along with gloves and hats. Really makes no sense to me that Winter has just started and all winter apparel is gone.

 

[descovy]

Oh great!! Target has bathing suits out now?? I need to run out and get one this Saturday-my daughter has a pool party to go to at safety swim Sunday and her suit from last year doesn't fit her anymore!! Thanks for the tip!!

See now, when I wanted to get a swim suit for my daughter's pool party Birthday in late July, I went to 2 Targets just to find 1 swimsuit in her size... they were most nearly gone!

 

[englishteacha]

A few years ago we had no snow in Maine till February, then we got about 3 feet in a week. Our snow shovel broke, and we couldn't find a new one to save our lives. We shoveled with a duct taped shovel the rest of the winter. We could find fertilizer, seeds, patio furniture, swimsuits and sandals, but no shovels.

 

[pigletgirl]

Another reason why they could have bathing suits out right now is because people resolve to join a gym for the new year and some of these gyms have a swimming pool in them.

I do agree that it is entirely way too early to get rid of the winter gear though...I tried shopping for snow boots today and there was nothing at Wal-mart.

Well in that case they should carry them year round. I mean, in this part of the country, that should be the norm.

Yup, on Jan 2 I went to Kroger and saw an end display full of Cadbury Eggs, and the seasonal isle full of Valentine candy. Went to Kohls and saw Valentines decor and St Patricks Day decor. I figure by March I'll be seeing 4th of July goods!

Rediculous! I don't buy easter candy for a loooong time! But when i was at target, even before christmas the valentines junk was out. Boo Hiss...

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm all for a small area of off-season clothes for travelers (in fact, I need to buy a new bathing suit soon) but I really wish they had in-season things too! DS needs new boots, and there are hardly any out there.

And I absolutely don't want to see Easter candy in January!

 

[puffkin]

Something else to realize is that most retail stores do not have the room to store the incoming merchandise. Most stockrooms are very small. When the merchandise comes in it needs to get out on the floor. Shipments come in daily. Can you imagine what the shipping companies would look like if all the Christmas merchandise would be delivered from Nov 1-15? There simply would not be enough delivery services to handle that volume. Then companies would need to pay a premium to make sure they go their merchandise in time and that would ultimately be passed onto the customers. It is a vicious cycle, but you kind of understand it if you ever work retail.