Rainy June dampened some sales

June officially marked the start of summer, but try telling that to outdoor pool and camping retailers.

An unseasonably wet month stifled some retail businesses that usually see an increase this time of year.

"(The weather) has definitely impacted us," said Kasey LaRose, manager of Sunplay Pools and Spas in South Ogden. LaRose said the recent ominous, cloudy weather duped consumers and "made it seem like spring had not even come yet."

The lack of interest in pool purchases was not too detrimental for Sunplay, but "we will possibly see a month less of revenue," LaRose said.

Outdoor retailers saw a decrease in sales due to more than three times the normal rainfall for June and only two days of 90-degree weather by June 24.

As the rain poured, a pool company in Murray decided to use a new federal law to help bridge them over troubled waters.

Doug Heer, owner of Precision Pools and Spas, said wet weather could have hurt his business sales if it were not for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

The act went into effect Dec. 19, 2008, and requires an additional unblockable drain to be installed in all commercial or outdoor residential pools. Heer said many homeowner associations and commercial apartments are calling to have the new drains installed, but Heer hopes to start installing pools again.

"It has been busy for us; not building, but doing (drain) installs," Heer said about his company. Originally some pool companies turned away from doing pool drains, but after wet weather and silent phones, Heer said, other companies decided to follow suit.

"Weather hampers us if it is bad, so we look forward to the sunshine," Heer said. "We get slammed with phone calls after the first day of 80-degree weather, when people say, 'Oh, yeah, we wanted a pool. I forgot.' "

If pools aren't being filled, you can be sure tents aren't being staked either. Companies like Smith and Edwards Inc. in Weber County have seen a slump in camping supply sales. However, Jim Smith, president of Smith and Edwards, said he isn't worried because of the store's wide selection of nonseasonal products that are picking up the revenue slack. Overall sales are actually up for the year despite the weather and sluggish economy.

Smith said the camping sales are "off a little bit, but there are areas of the store that are picking up for it."

With warmer and clearer days in the forecast, retailers hope people will start making solid plans for upcoming weekends.

"We have been a little behind, but I think it will pick up when people begin making definite plans," Smith said. "I think people are staying at home because they have not seen a good forecast for the weekend."

E-MAIL: cneugebauer@desnews.com