Snow Helps Boost Sales of Patagonia Apparel

The heavy snow that’s been falling in many parts of the country has given a boost to the sales of Patagonia Inc., a Ventura-based outdoor clothing company.

“Our Christmas sales were definitely better than expected at all distribution levels--mail order, wholesale and in our own retail stores,” spokeswoman Megan Montgomery said.

Snow fell during the holiday shopping season in the Rockies, along the Eastern Seaboard, in much of Canada and in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This, Montgomery said, helped the sales of Patagonia outerwear as gifts for skiers, ice-climbers and other lovers of the outdoors.

In addition to the nasty weather, Patagonia’s business is benefiting from improved consumer confidence, Montgomery said.

“Things have been looking up ever since the election,” she said. “People have a feeling that we’re getting a fresh start.”

Privately owned Patagonia does not disclose its sales figures.