Warm weather melting millions off winter gear retailers' bottom lines

Winter clothing sales are taking a hit from record high temperatures in the US, according to industry reports - a stark contrast from last year's outerwear frenzy

Down is down: warm winter weather has cost retailers scores of millions of dollars as sales of everything from winter coats to snow boots have failed to take off, according to multiple reports across the clothing industry.

November was the planet's warmest month on record, in addition to an unusually strong El Nino effect heating up the US and Europe, and the change has carved a chunk out of retailers who rely on the weather for clothing sales.