Easter dates shift should help retail sales

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 4/15/2011 9:03:24 AM

LAST YEAR BROUGHT THE WARMEST APRIL IN FOUR YEARS, WITH RECORD WARMTH AT THE START AND DURING THE FINAL WEEKEND OF THE MONTH.The week of Easter was the hottest in more than 20 years for the Northeast, driving demand for spring and outdoor categories. North Central states saw the most improvement weather-wise, but 70% of the nation trended warmer than the year prior. Precipitation trended the least in three years, which was an added bonus for outdoor categories.
     This year, April temperatures will trend cooler than last year for the eastern half of the nation while the West will trend warmer. Temperatures will trend above normal from Texas and the Gulf Coast states northward to the southern Ohio Valley. In contrast, temperatures will be below normal in the Southwest and along the West Coast.
     Spring and outdoor categories will have a slow start this month, with conditions turning more favorable by month's end. The calendar shift of the week prior to Easter into the retail April will be a benefit to overall retail sales.

TEMPERATURE
	NATIONAL APRIL TEMPERATURE INDEX
PRECIPITATION
	NATIONAL APRIL PRECIPITATION INDEX