LAST WEEK (6-12 MAY) in the U.K. was a disappointment for retailers weather-wise with cooler and wetter conditions compared to a year ago for the week overall. Footfall was most likely less than stellar throughout the week as it was the greatest weekly change toward wetter weather for the UK as a whole since the beginning of March, as well as the wettest second week of May in at least 14 years. While temperatures did trend above normal for the week overall, they were cooler than last year for the first time in six weeks which may have caused a slowdown in sales of seasonal categories.
The maps above show last week’s temperature and precipitation trends compared to the same week last year. UK temperatures last week trended 1.1°C COLDER than last year but 1.2°C ABOVE normal. This broke the streak of FIVE weeks in a row of warmer year-on-year weather for the UK as a whole, but temperatures did still trend above normal. The bigger story for the week was that it was the greatest weekly change toward wetter weather since the beginning of March. It was also the wettest second week of May in at least 14 years. The wet weather most likely led to a significant decrease in footfall for the week overall. However, the wet weather will be positive for allergy remedy sales in the coming weeks as the grass will begin to grow rapidly leading to a considerably higher pollen count.