Weather or Not

Looking at the weather report for the upcoming New York show, I already know what one of the chief topics of conversation will be: Sunday’s rain. It’s the same every time there’s the least little bit of precipitation. Rain, vendors will tell me, means a slow show. Oh wait, maybe, those same designer will speculate, it means retailers will be resigned to being inside the convention center on such a messy day. This is the exchange I’ll have all day.

While standing on the show floor.

Whether things are bustling or not.

I’m willing to put money on it.

You’d think we could look around and tell whether the rain has driven people to shop or convinced them to snuggle up on their couches. It’s really comical. It makes as much sense as reading palms or tea leaves; it’s completely inscrutable because there really is no link between the weather and sales. It just gives us all something to talk about. Short of a freak snow storm (it could happen!), the weather means very little. There are many other tangible (and controllable) reasons sales are made—or not. I’d like to meet the buyer who decides to forgo her responsibilities because her shoes might get soaked or she’s short on vitamin D. And if the decision to blow off work is that easy for retailers, than I’ll be opening a shop next week… but only if it’s sunny.