I started my weekly Weather Means Business Tweet Storm series two weeks ago and as predicted it’s morphed into more of a bi-weekly-ish effort.
Even that may be overly ambitious.
Never-the-less, there’s been some really interesting weather / business impact stories and studies over the last week that I’m excited to share.
Here are some of my favorites —
Bad weather leads to bad restaurant reviews
"According to the study’s findings, customers were nearly three times more likely to leave a negative comment on a rainy day. Additionally, higher temperatures also saw an increase in negative comments."
https://t.co/guZD9fPaRB— Paul Walsh (@PaulEWalsh) May 3, 2019
Bad weather has a fundamental impact on both what we do and how we feel. It’s a universal truth that has both economic and social impacts.
Turns out the impact of the funk brought on by rainy weather has a measurable impact on the snark (and, presumably) tip level of diners at restaurants.
You can get a copy of the full study at the link here — It’s raining complaints! How weather factors drive consumer comments and word-of-mouth — or you can watch the short video below.
Fascinating study!
The Reverse Bath Tub
Retail sales in both the US and western Europe will be facing strong weather-driven headwinds in May as colder temperatures will be slamming the brakes on demand for all things spring.
Apparel and Lawn & Garden categories and seasonable consumables (think BBQ’s and beer) will be particularly hard hit. This will negatively impact home centers, mass merchants, specialty apparel and department stores — essentially all of retail.
Making this worse will be the incredibly difficult comparison to last year’s record warm weather in both the US (warmest in 124 years) and the UK (warmest on record)
It’s a case of Mother Nature playing hard ball — and below the belt.
For more on what I call “the reverse bath tub effect” read my post from last month — Did the Bomb Cyclone Blow up Spring Retail Sales?
It's not just the U.S. that will experience unseasonably cool temperatures this Spring… Europe is also getting in on the action. Blocking at higher latitudes and North Atlantic region is the driver for the unusual cool weather for both areas. pic.twitter.com/5YT8JZ8POF
— Michael Ventrice (@MJVentrice) May 4, 2019
Last year we were leaving a cold and snowy April and jumping into one of the warmest Mays on record.
This year leaving one of the warmest Aprils on record and starting May chilly. https://t.co/TDOkY0XFx0
— Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) May 2, 2019
May’s open 23-degrees cooler than year ago with half the typical 70+ highs on the books to date in 2019; sun-filled weekend to bring temps 14-deg warmer than last—but with cool shoreline breezes; big rains next week signaling wet weather’s return https://t.co/hsOM4hsDhP
— Skilling (@Skilling) May 4, 2019
The Sport Performance Summit Atlanta
This tweet references an interesting and very timely topic: using weather data and analytics to optimize performance — in sport and business.
It’s timely in that I’m going to be speaking about this topic at The Sport Performance Summit Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium next month.
I’m particularly excited to be sharing the same stage as the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the GM of the Atlanta Falcons.
How weather data is changing the game https://t.co/rCweNqOnQ3
— Paul Walsh (@PaulEWalsh) May 3, 2019
Atlanta is the weather hub of the USA – so we've got Global Director at @weathercompany @PaulEWalsh to lead a session tackling one of sport's biggest challenges: translating complex datasets -> simple analysis. Join us to test your thinking #Leaders19https://t.co/NeqIauFxwg pic.twitter.com/uY9z3bgkmr
— LEADERS Performance (@Leaders_Insight) April 16, 2019