Unseasonably warm weather dampens sales for UK and European retailers, impacting winter clothing purchases

Retailers in the UK reported sluggish sales in September as consumers cut back on spending and unseasonably warm weather delayed purchases of winter clothing. This trend was also observed in other parts of Europe, with H&M, the world's second-largest fashion retailer, blaming unusually hot weather for lower sales in September. The warm autumn weather in the US and Europe is denting sales of heavy sweaters and coats as the critical holiday shopping period approaches. Some stores are already slashing prices to avoid piles of unsold inventory. Overall, the unseasonably warm weather is causing clothing retailers to struggle as they try to sell winter wear.