Record Cold Temperatures Aren’t Affecting Boot Sales for All Retailers the Way You’d Expect

The record-breaking cold weather wave is not showing any signs of letting up anytime soon, with areas of the U.S. from South Texas to Canada and Montana through Maine in a deep freeze.

While independent retailers around the country, reported the weather had some customers coming in for a last minute pair of winter boots and other cold weather gear, others said there hasn’t been an uptick in sales due to many shoppers sitting out the cold at home.

At Rochester, N.Y.,-based Foot Performance Center, year-to-date boot business is up roughly 5 to 6 percent due to the cold snap, according to Brian Ferguson, general manager. While he noted the store’s core clientele with special fitting needs typically buy their boots early, the store’s also seen additional traffic from walk-ins in search of a pair of cold weather boots.

“Business will continue to pick up as long as I can get inventory,” said Ferguson, about fill-ins from his vendor roster that includes brands such as Propet.

It’s business as usual at Stan’s Fit For Your Feet in Glendale, Wisc., according to manager Angie Murray. She noted the store is currently holding its post-holiday sale when customers typically shop for boots. Among the strong sellers is the Toe Warmers brand from Canada.

Like Murray, Jim Smith, manager of Comfort Footworks in Matthews, N.C., said business has been on par with last year when it comes to boots. “We had already started our end-of-year sales on boots a few weeks ago,” he said. He added that the region has experienced severe cold snaps before. “For us, this was not a jump in business.”

For Bob Jones Shoes in Kansas City, Mo., co-owner Harry Bosley said boot sales are on par with prior seasons since many shoppers decided to stay indoors rather than brave the cold for a day out shopping. “There was less traffic than when the weather was warmer,” he said, about the adverse effect of the current cold spell. He added that if consumers had not bought boots by mid-January into February the will likely hold off until next year.

For retailers such as Alamo Shoes in Chicago, the record low temperatures provided an opportunity for added sales. According to owner Sol Price, consumers who might otherwise shop online, were instead walking into the store for a pair of warm boots. “They weren’t playing games with their phones and checking everything [available],” said Price. However, he added, the cold also had an adverse affect on sales, with some shoppers opting to stay home to avoid the cold.

Want more?

Paris Hilton Gets Engaged to Chris Zylka While Wearing Lange Ski Boots

J-Lo Defies Cold Weather to Show Off Abs in Crop Top and Timberlands with A-Rod

Related stories

You Can Buy Virgil Abloh's Off-White x Timberland 6-Inch Boots Right Now

Mariah Carey Wears Her Favorite Dior Snowboots on a Romantic Ski Trip With Her Boyfriend

Timberland Just Released These Limited-Edition Boots That Are 'Downright Intimidating'

Get more from FootwearNews.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram