If retailers have access to accurate weather-related data, they will be able to anticipate what their customers will be coming in store to buy and arrange for the required stock levels and staff members; they can also plan appropriate weather-related promotions… Tesco claims that using weather-related data to predict how much stock they will or will not need saves them in excess of £6 million a year.
If snow is on the way, supermarkets and stores can stock up on milk, bread, shovels and sledges, but at the same time make sure that their online store is prepared for the influx in online orders from people confined to the house.
2. How does weather data affect the stock a business will need in store and online?
3. What problems could be caused to a retailer by having too much or too little of the right stock to suit the weather?
We may not be able to control the weather, but we can at least do more than just talk about it. Retailers can now use real-time and historical weather data to accurately predict high street footfall and online sales, as well as which items they are likely to sell more of during certain temperatures.
4. Have you ever gone into a shop to buy something that was not in stock? Did it affect your opinion of the shop?
