Mild weather; winter items not selling

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - The mild temperatures mean that some businesses are losing revenue they would normally get during the winter months.

Higher than average winter temperatures mean less use of winter gear. But people like Brian Keefe aren't complaining.

“The ice melt, I still have a half a bag from last year and that's a good thing because it’s expensive,” said Brian Keefe of Agawam.

But for stores like Rocky's in Agawam, it means trouble in moving winter products out the door. There are still stacks of ice melt and plenty of shovels, scrapers, snowblowers and sleds to go around.

“We're still selling the ice melt, but just not as fast as last year,” said Heather Coache the assistant store manager of Rocky's in Agawam.

The record temps are leading to a loss of revenue for many businesses on products that would normally be flying off store shelves this time of year.

For a store like Rocky's, that means a change in strategy.

“We're bringing in a lot more spring cleaning supplies. We're selling a lot of rakes. People are buying stuff to clean their cars since it's been so warm,” said Heather Coache.

Next week, the store will start their complete changeover to spring products and it looks like they might just have to wait until next year to sell this winter gear.