The wet weather we experienced this April had a serious impact on the number of people spending on outdoor products, such as your garden wares and the likes.
Retail sales were down 3.3 per cent in April 2012 compared with April 2011, mainly thanks to the dismal weather we experienced here in Ireland and over in the UK.
Last year, April actually saw product sales rising by 5.2 per cent compared with 2010 as we had warmer weather and a later Eater in 2011, reports DIY Week.
According to the British Retailers Consortium director general Stephen Robertson: “It would have been difficult for this April to out-perform April 2011 even with favourable weather, but these numbers are still disappointing.
“Consumers, struggling to balance their household budgets, remain reluctant to spend unless they really have to and the weakening economy is likely to mean people are even more cautious about their finances.
“With any significant improvement in the difficult underlying conditions a long way off, a lift in the public mood would at least give retailers a short-term boost.”
Although the weather isn’t the best you can still get a whole lot of DIY done outdoors. Planting flowers during the crappy weather will ensure that your new plants will get all the water they need during their early stages without you having to do any of the work. You could also get cracking on a water feature and let the rain fill it up for you.
Check out JOE’s DIY section for more do it yourself ideas.
