...to wish retailers would just look out the fecking window?

[somewherewest]

...inspired by our local branch of Jojo Maman Tres Expensif*, which is chocca with sunhats and swimwear despite the fact its fecking -5 outside. Seriously? There were icicles overhanging their beachwear window display last week.

*I realise this immediately discloses the fact that we're not in Toxteth or Brixton

This time last year was a heat wave!!!!

Buyers and merchandisers do not have magic weather balls :-)

Buy early, i know it's boring, out of season etc but organisation works. I know its hard with babies they always grow when you don't want them to.

So everyone out you go for your uniform and summer hats, sun cream...i could go on.

Yes, that's exactly what we mean by manipulated demand - people are buying T shirts now because they know they'll disappear by the time they want them.

And I did find it telling when one poster pointed out to the "ladies" that an important driver was to get things before Walmart does.

Your numbers are lying to you. Of course that's what people are buying, it's what's in the shops.

My son is rapidly outgrowing his long sleep tops. So I'm buying him short sleeve and doing massive layers as the temp hovers around 2C for the next week and has been for the last month.

If it's in the shops, of course people are going to buy it. And they aren't going to buy what's left of the winter wear, because it's crap.

Is this really that hard to realize? Why don't you talk to people, instead of staring at sheets of number?

We have long sleeve t shirts. Those long sleeve tshirts are staying on the shelves. We have jeans, those jeans are staying on the stands. I have a couple of stands out with a style of denim shorts on each, a short sleeve tshirt, a style of jeans, and a long sleeve shirt (good for layering). Yesterday, I sold 3 pairs of the shorts, and 2 of the tshirts. I sold none of the jeans (which were the same style as the shorts, the jean version of the same design), and none of the shirts.

I have looked at the weather outside, and have merchandised the shopfloor accordingly. At least half of the shopfloor is dressed as layered outfits, with either dresses or short sleeve tshirts with shirts, cardigans, thin coats, macs, jackets. The items UNDERNEATH are the ones that are selling. I have a stand out with cropped leggings and long length leggings literally next to each other. The cropped leggings are selling better (when the long ones are nicer, in my opinion!).

You may not believe me, but we take what stock we have and react accordingly. Why is it not that hard for you to realise that this is actually what people are buying? There are the options, but people aren't taking them!

www.muddypuddles.com/

Apols for typing...

I'm amazed long sleeved t shirt sales are down. Actually, no I'm not. I'm amazed anyone can find l/s t shirts to buy anywhere. So perhaps its not surprising that not many are selling as there aren't any in stock anywhere. And it's not just in the last month or so. I've been hunting for plain ones for both myself and toddler dd since Christmas without any luck. I don't want naff patterns. I want plain colours in nice cotton. Black or white would do. Haven't been able to buy plain vests with long sleeves for dd since she grew out of age 9-12m from M&S (the only ones that fit a long skinny baby). She fits their age 2-3 perfectly. I know as she has the short sleeve and sleeveless versions. Not a long sleeve one in sight.

I think Tee2072 might have nailed it.

I'm grimly hanging on until weather improves before carting dtds up to BigTown to have their quarterly trawl round the shops. Because bitter experience has told me that nothing up there will be any good for right now, and I can't feel inspired by a season that isn't actually there iyswim. And if I allow dtds to choose their S/S stuff now, the little baggages will insist on wearing it and freeze and try to guilt me into turning the heating up.

Yes, I am not going near the High Street for the time being Betty. If I can't get it online, I just won't buy anything.

Really interesting posts from the professional buyers here.

I can completely understand the rationale behind the ordering. I would dearly love to buy UK/European-made clothing. I really dislike the UK importing everything from China. It's not good to buy everything so cheaply and forego our own economy in place of bought-in, poor quality tat.

I worked in France for a long time; they prioritise their own products over every other country's. I'd say that 80% of the cars are French, 15% German and a few mavericks drive other brands. Why aren't we like that? Demanding our own manufacturing be reinstated - and having the restraint to choose to pay a bit more for our own products as a first choice?

I'm a Boden fan , but far less so now that the clothes are made in China. It used to be UK then a little creep to Bulgaria - and now China.

Do buying teams not buy in the services of a seasonal weather forecast provider then?

Yes, for coats you have to go to Millets/ Cotwold outdoor Store type places after January.

OYBBK do you fancy a career move?

Agree Tee et al. Buyers - my children's wardrobes are full of clothes for the next season, and I'm already buying summer dresses. It is not because I want the house to be overflowing with clothes that aren't being worn, but because my advancing years experience tells me that if I wait until July to try and buy a pair of shorts for my 6 year old I won't be able to, because all you will be stocking is school uniforms and winter coats

Your sales figures will show that I am buying summer stuff, but it's not because I want to, it's because I have to. We're in Scotland, and really, our summers do not necessitate that many t-shirts and flip flops.

I wonder if I know the other buyers and merchandisers? everyone knows everyone!

Well I'm thinking of starting up my own business next year after DS2 is born, Cold weather bits all year round then [bugrin]

Saw an American lady in London this week - she had come over without any warm clothes, not expecting it to be so cold. She had three big sons with her. She was buying up loads of clothes from a vintage store in London. Rokkit in Covent Garden. Jumpers, padded coats...the lot. Smart.

Everyone buys what is on the shop floor because they know that if they don't then there will be bugger all there in July when they actually want it.

No wonder the British High Street is in such dire straits if the 'professionals' who have the power to transform its fortunes go to what would make a very good focus group.

sparkling whilst tempting to offer my services, I fear I would just be making it up as I don't have access to seasonal forecasting models.

though maybe my answer should be: Yes, I think I can offer a lot to the industry!

We need to ask Mary Portas what's going on.

Talking of her, I bet the charity shops are reaping the rewards of maybe having winter stuff in.

Agree Ali

Just do itOYBBK, you couldn't make it any worse.

Oh god no, Mary P would just suggest layering polyester - her stuff is really naff

When baby DD outgrew her snowsuit in January I had a bugger of a job finding a replacement. There were a couple in the wrong sizes in most shops and already in January the summer stuff was appearing on the shelves. It is bloody stupid and infuriating.

Weirdly but gratifyingly, I finally found her one at half price in Boots, which had clearly decided that all the winter coats needed to be got rid of (and pronto) so had a huge sale of winter clothing on. In January, I repeat. Because it's never, ever cold after then.

Dh reckons I can offer an accuracy of about 40% on a seasonal forecast compared to the met office accuracy of (I believe) 65%. What do you reckon? Worth a job?