The US just experienced the warmest "meteorological winter" on record, NOAA said last week. It also led to unpredictable consumer demand, causing headaches for retailers and other businesses. For Dick's, warmer weather means that sales skew toward lightweight fleeces rather than pricier down parkas, she said. A retailer in South Dakota surveyed by the Federal Reserve said that even though the warmer weather led to higher foot traffic, sales of winter gear and equipment fell. AdvertisementFrom major complications to minor inconveniences, it's looking like this winter could be a preview of what's to come thanks to the climate crisis.

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Persons: Lauren Hobart, Hobart's, didn't, Hal Lawton, Lawton isn't, Raymond James, Lowe's, Marvin Ellison, Bill Boltz, Wisconsin's Organizations: NOAA, Service, National Oceanographic, Atmospheric Administration, Sporting, Tractor, Co, Raymond, Raymond James Institutional Investors, Federal Reserve, Climate Central Locations: NOAA's, East, Midwest, South Dakota