Merchant planner: a monthly trend tracker of weather and merchandising for the year's highest-volume promotional "holidays".(Statistical table)

SHOPPING OUTLOOK

As the summer season winds down, the week prior to Labor Day (Aug 26 to Sept. 1) should be a good week for retailers, especially from the Northeast into the Great Plains, where temperatures and precipitation will be warmer and drier than the same week last year. Demand for typical summer holiday weekend categories will be strong, especially beverages, ice cream, picnic supplies, charcoal and premium grilling meats to name a few. This week also will be a great opportunity for retailers to clear out remaining warm season merchandise.

Shoppers along the Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle will be keeping an eye out for a tropical …