In Europe, coats are old hat as global warming grips

LONDON/MILAN, Nov 6 (Reuters) Marilyn Alexander meant to buy a winter coat at the start of September, but with London enjoying balmy temperatures she put it off.

Now, in November, when a coat is traditionally a necessity to shield against Britain's infamous damp and fog, this owner of a training and development company still hasn't purchased one.

''The weather's been just too nice. I'm thinking about waiting a little longer and then buying one in the sales,'' she said, dressed in a lightweight suit.

Like Alexander, shoppers from Brussels to Milan are presenting clothes retailers with a new reality: in the 21st century tracking weather patterns is as important as tracking hemlines.

Rising global temperatures, blamed by scientists for Europe's freak floods and record droughts, are also behind changes in shopper behaviour -- and dents in profits, retailers say.

From Swedish giant Hennes and Mauritz to Italy's Rinascente and Germany's Metro, sluggish autumn clothing sales are being blamed on sunny days as shoppers shun costly woollen coats for cooler -- and usually cheaper -- T-shirts and jackets.

''All my analysis and all our data within the business is saying that it's a weather thing,'' Debenhams Chief Executive Rob Templeman told Reuters last month after reporting a 4 percent fall in same store sales since September at Britain's second-biggest clothes retailer.

''The issue we all face is: Do we buy for later on in the season? Do I buy stocks hoping it is going to snow in April, May?'' he asked.

MELTING PROFITS It is a similar story across Europe: with meteorologial offices forecasting a warmer European winter this year on average than in the past three decades, clothes store owners are considering how to adjust.

For those who fail to scramble, Seymour Pierce's Richard Ratner, who has covered the sector for 25 years, didn't rule out profit warnings. ''The weather's having a major effect on clothing sales. If it goes on for another two weeks, there are going to be real problems,'' he said.

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