Apparel retailers TJ Maxx and Marshall's are citing the severe winter weather for lower sales, saying:

"However, sales were negatively affected by periods of heavy snow and rain in the Northeast," Wedge added. Consumers had no incentive to buy spring fashions like micro mini skirts in the frigid cold, analysts said.

If after two months of record-breaking low-temperatures these guys were still hoping to sell micro-mini skirts, it's time they adopted more flexible purchasing policies. The smart retailer needs to always be making adjustments to the merchandise she is stocking, to stay in line with sales trends (and anticipated sales trends). Those retailers who make purchasing decisions months in advance and are not flexible enough to make adjustments will lose out to more nimble competitors.