With Easter falling two weeks earlier this year, Mother Nature will play a part in apparel sales. Consumers, many of them still shoveling snow off their sidewalks, are not yet feeling compelled to go shopping for spring clothes.

This is going to have a huge impact on manufacturers who rely on raw materials from overseas,

For many retailers, Halloween represents the big kick-off to the fourth quarter,

February was a successful month for clearance merchandise and many retailers are relieved to have winter gear out of their stores, ... Retailers appear pleased with their pricing strategies for spring and are encouraged that consumers are heading to the stores in larger numbers.

After a long, cold winter, consumers are ready to pack away their scarves and gloves and hit the stores for their spring wardrobe. The seasonal weather should allow many apparel retailers to breathe a sigh of relief.

Dad tends to be more low maintenance than Mom,