NCEI environmental data provide critical information for retailers, manufacturers, and the companies that invest in them. These industries are highly sensitive to changing weather conditions, and rely on our climate data to assess how weather has influenced their past sales.
Weather affects every step of the retail supply chain. As the seasons change, manufacturers may need to produce different machine parts for equipment like lawn mowers and snow blowers. Similarly, retailers may need to shift the stock of seasonal items like hot cocoa and sandals as temperatures and weather conditions fluctuate.
In the winter, in particular, the weather can dramatically influence economic activity related to the manufacturing and retail industries. A severe snowstorm may keep consumers from shopping at retail stores and dining at restaurants. Winter weather can also prevent goods from getting to market. However, major snowstorms can be profitable for online retailers and the automotive repair industry.
Retail and manufacturing make up $3.2 trillion (17 percent) of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and an estimated 22 million jobs collectively, and their performance is a top indicator of economic well-being. With the right data, manufacturers, retailers, and the companies that invest in them can understand and measure how weather is influencing their bottom lines and the country’s economy.
Case Study
Review the Success Stories on User Engagement report for April, 2017 for more detailed information about NCEI data applications in retail and manufacturing. The report demonstrates how our climate data products are used to understand the effect of certain weather conditions on business performance.
Related Products
Data products that provide real-world value to the retail and manufacturing industries include:
