The apparent absurdity of the retail cycle holds true in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. Those of you in the middle of a freezing winter will soon see flimsy Spring dresses displayed in store windows. If you are experiencing a sweltering Summer, Autumn knitwear and lightweight coats are about to appear in your favourite stores.

The next few weeks are your last chance to buy for your current season. Don’t expect to find cashmere pullovers, knee high boots and scarves when the weather is at its coldest. And don’t expect to find shorts and swimwear when Summer is at its peak.

Additionally, store stocks are purposefully low in January as retailers put their entire season’s collection on markdown. With a good few months of Winter or Summer left, now is the time to buy up the items you still need for this season.