A chilly reception for agents this winter
While the financial impact on major retailers has been widely reported in the national press, Australian Fashion Council managing director Zoe Edquist said pressure from rising temperatures is being felt in all sectors of the industry.
"Even some of our most exclusive boutiques are on sale at the moment which indicates that the unseasonably warm start to winter has hit retail hard across the board."
Edquist said retailers, boutiques and agencies are being forced to rely on the popularity of trans-seasonal apparel such as dresses, cardigans and leggings in order to offset the slump in sales of heavier items such as coats, jackets and boots.
Melbourne-based fashion agent Jon Laing, who handles a range of premium international labels such as Scotland's Cecile Paul and France's Bellocoton, said European designers are now paying closer attention to the range of winter apparel being sent to the Australian market.
"They don't send heavier garments to Australia anymore except for a few pieces which sell strongly in Victoria and Tasmania, where it's cooler. The selection process is definitely becoming a lot more trans-seasonal."
South Australian-based fashion agent Edwina Jordan also said retailers are becoming more "cautious" when purchasing winter ranges and that many of the manufacturers she represents are opting for smaller collections with "many more" trans-seasonal options.
Jordan said while her selling figures were down compared with the same time last year, many of her retail clients were finding the season even tougher.
"The winter season is a very short season for the retailers. They have to keep reminding themselves of that; unlike summer we seem to have a very long sell time."
Jordan said retailers were having to discount heavy winter merchandise such as boots, coats and knits early in the season to make room for summer deliveries which start as early as July. This not only has an impact on retail sales but on agent selling patterns too, she said.
"This season we have definitely found our clients are being very cautious when they are buying for next season. We are finding our retailers are not buying a lot in the way of winter clothing as the seasons have definitely changed."