IRI: MILD WINTER HURT SOME CPG SALES

SARAH MULHOLLAND

CHICAGO -- Consumer packaged goods sales are sensitive to the cold, or the lack thereof, according to a recently released report from Information Resources Inc., here. "IRI Pulse: Record Winter Warmth," is the latest in a series of ongoing studies focusing on noteworthy trends in the CPG industry. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2001-2002 winter season was the fifth warmest in the United States since 1895. This latest report examined the performance of CPG products during the winter months.

Based on the findings, some cold-weather heavies, such as cocoa mix and tissues, experienced a slight decrease in sales from the previous winter. Conversely, some products generally associated with the summer months, such as drink mixes and baked beans, saw a slight increase in sales this winter.

Statistics aside, retailers in the Northern climates polled by SN said they felt little impact. Randy Reed, owner of Don's Quality Market, Seymour, Wis., acknowledged the relatively mild winter weather. However, sales were not affected in his stores.

"It's still winter in Wisconsin," he said in late May.

Marv Imus, vice president of Paw Paw Shopping Center, Paw Paw, Mich., expressed similar sentiments.

"We didn't have an extremely cold winter, but we had enough snow on an irregular basis," Imus said.