Sales Cool as Temperature Doesn’t, Stores Pinning Hopes on Jan.-Feb., Wild Furs Up in North Bay Sale..., also Increase at NAFA Online, Consumer Confidence Up Again

INCONSISTENT TEMPERATURES AND A WINTER THAT MAY BE SHAPING UP AS ONE OF THE MILDEST IN YEARS APPEAR TO BE TAKING THEIR TOLL ON BUSINESSES THAT ARE SNOW OR COLD-WEATHER DEPENDENT. Fur retailers virtually throughout the northern hemisphere experienced a largely disappointing December – for many, the biggest month on their calendar – and are now facing an uncertain January, which could bail them out if the variably cold temperatures are sustained. The same can be said of other winter-related businesses, such as ski resorts, which have been bemoaning the lack of snow. Also affected are the boutiques in those areas, many of which sell furs.

THE SITUATION IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO A YEAR AGO, WHEN SUSTAINED COLD MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD AND FREAK SNOWSTORMS CRIPPLED MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE U.S. THE SITUATION IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO A YEAR AGO, WHEN SUSTAINED COLD MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD AND FREAK SNOWSTORMS CRIPPLED MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE U.S.

THE NEW SEASON’S FIRST OFFERING OF NORTH AMERICAN WILD FURS NOT ONLY WAS WELL RECEIVED, BUT ALSO BROUGHT STRONG PRICES FOR SUCH STAPLES AS BEAVER AND RED FOX AND SET RECORDS FOR SOME ARCTIC TYPES The opening event at Fur Harvesters Auction also attracted many Chinese buyers who had never been to its facility in North Bay, Ont. The results underscored the growing importance of wild furs in Chinese manufacturers’ repertoires, which until recently were dominated by such ranched furs as mink, fox and inexpensive items.

FASHION NOTE: The annual REMIX competition that has been a highlight of the Milan Fair for the past nine years will be continued this year, again a collaboration between the International Fur Trade Federation and MIFUR. The three prize categories are back: The REMIX international designer award, the Origin Assured award and the Pimp My Coat award. As an added bonus, the winner of the latter will have his or her design manufactured from a vintage garment and will be invited to attend MIFUR, which will be held Mar. 4-8/2012

Sandy Parker Reports is weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for over 45 years. For the last 33 years he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of all the major international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements within the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.

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