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January 12, 2022

Snowfall hurts, but means big business in southern U.S.

If we’re to learn anything from 13-centimetres of snow crippling Metro Vancouver this morning, it’s that everyone reacts to winter differently.

Indeed, though, if you thought having to cancel nearly all school in the area was bad, it’s peanuts compared to what a little powder has done to the southern U.S.

In fact, the consumer reaction to snow there is meaning one thing to American retailers: money, money, money.

According to CNN.com, about 12.5-centimetres of snow in Georgia has caused a full-on apocalypse.

People have been rushing to Walmart in droves, emptying the store’s shelves like U.S. border officials empty the public’s patience. The “meddling” amount of snow, as the Consumerist puts it, has also delayed the start of the University of Georgia’s spring semester.

Think that’s bad? In South Carolina, which once had – wait for it – eighteen inches of snowfall back in 2004, the few centimetres it’s received this January has meant more big business for local merchants.

Domino’s Pizza has had to call in extra drivers to care for all the snowed-in South Carolinians that won’t brave a trip to the grocery store. Lowe’s and the Home Depot have been sold out of salt bags for days and, similarly, Walmart has no more sleds and snow boots to call their own.

Of course, we chide those in more temperature climates when they get a little snow when we, the rest of Canadians, are probably just as a big of wusses.

At least, though, we handle winter a little bit better than these people.

By Jason Buckland, MSN Money

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

James HaversJames Havers

James is the senior editor of MSN Money living in Toronto. He has worked for the Nikkei Shimbun (Tokyo), canoe.ca, AOL.ca, Canadian Business and other publications. Havers turned to journalism after teaching overseas.

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...