Outdoor clothing sales spike thanks to cold weather

Cold weather conditions and heavy snowfall across the UK has resulted in a huge boost for outdoor clothing retailers.

Regatta, one of the country’s leading outdoor clothing brands said that it had recorded a 30% increase in turnover for December 2009 in comparison to the same period last year. The company believes that a large part of this was due to the recent sub-zero temperatures.

Top selling items of clothing for the winter period include waterproof insulated jackets, fleece lined clothing, overtrousers, waterproof jackets and trousers, hats, scarves, socks, gloves, thermal underwear and boots.

The UK Press Association reports that Richard Cotter, brand president of outdoor clothing supplier Berghaus said “We enjoyed a very busy end to 2009 and that trend is continuing”.

Louise Ramsay, chief executive of the Outdoor Industries Association, warned consumers that appropriate winter clothing was a necessity in the adverse temperatures.
“As temperatures continue to plummet it is really important that members of the public who have to go outside are properly equipped” she said. “If for any reason you get caught outside –or in your car – in the worst conditions, you could seriously regret not investing in garments that use genuine cold weather performance materials and construction techniques”