Cold Powers Seasonal Demand, But Energy Costs Drain Discretionary Spend

G2 Weather Intelligence Signal™ Flash Report — December 8, 2025

Covering conditions for the weeks ending Dec 6, Dec 13, and Dec 20

Quick Summary

• Cold weather is boosting winter demand in the East, but higher heating bills are pulling spend toward essentials and away from discretionary gifting.

• Warmth in the West is capping winter sell-through and shifting dollars into DIY, outdoor, and travel categories.

• The season looks strong for winter goods in the East—yet the K-shaped consumer will decide how much of that demand actually shows up in the numbers.

Overview

December’s cold snap keeps delivering—especially across the high-population East—lifting seasonal demand for winter apparel, home comfort, and heating categories.

But that same cold is squeezing the lower half of the K-shaped economy with higher energy bills and stubborn inflation. The result: more dollars flowing to essentials, but fewer units, softer traffic, and tighter discretionary gifting.

Weather is driving demand; the consumer’s wallet is deciding where it lands.