The brutal winter weather is taking a toll on Michigan retailers.
A major ice storm just before Christmas resulted in poor overall holiday season sales for many Michigan stores.
The brutally cold January that followed was just as bad, according to a new report by the Michigan Retailers Association, which says 46% of retailers report their sales were down last month, compared to January 2013. Only 30% said their cash registers were busier.
The gloom created by slow sales may carry over into the rest of the year.
The survey finds 58% of Michigan retailers expect 2014 sales will be better than 2013, but by only 1.4%.
