While the big freeze continues, we have to think ourselves lucky that we’re able to shop from the comfort of our homes, unlike those who lived through the big freeze of 1963.
Before we go on, spare a thought for the people of Oymyakon (which, ironically means “non freezing water”) in Russia who enjoy average winter temperatures of -45C.
Here in the UK in 2010, when it gets cold, you struggle from underneath your blankets, trudge to the thermostat in your novelty Christmas slippers, and nudge the heating up a few degrees. Back in 1963 you’d have had to cope with the snow and ice as you made your way across to the coal bunker to stick another lump on the fire.
Okay so there is a finite storage of gas, but that’s not about to run out in the next few weeks, so forget the polar bears for now and make the most of your central heating.
A quote on the BBC: “In 1963 my brother was at primary school and had to break the ice in the toilets – he was told not to hit it too hard with the stick in case he broke the porcelain too.” Just imagine what the Health & Safety executive would have to say about that in 2010!
Many football matches have been cancelled this coming weekend but that’s nothing compared to 1963 – when the third round of FA Cup took 66 days to complete.
More people turning to online shopping during the freeze. There have been reports of delivery drivers spending nights in their vans.
Most importantly for online retailers is the cheer that is brought by those stuck in their homes with nothing better to do than shop online. Not something that we could have talked about in 1963.
Many supermarkets are reporting an increase in sales on winter based goods.
One supermarket said that sales of flasks and mugs were up 160% on the same time last year.
Waitrose said that sales of tights were up 20% compared with the warmer period last year, as people wrapped up before braving the cold, while sales of wool and cashmere socks had increased by 50%.
Budgens said that bread and milk were proving popular.
Sainsbury’s weather analyst, said: “A temperature change of 3C from the seasonal average can result in sales of some products going up by as much as 50%.
So it might be cold, your car might be stuck, the milk might be frozen and many of us might be unable to get to work but there is a bright side.
The director of operations at e-retail body IMRG said that snowy days tended to mirror the kind of online shopping levels seen on Mondays – the busiest day of the week for internet retailers.
In the same way that some of us stockpile soup for the cold weather, you need to be readying yourself to quickly target those seeking some winter comforts. SEO can be one method that you can use to prepare for the winters ahead but there are other internet marketing methods that can provide you with the means to target those living through this winter event. Internet marketing and social media – everyone’s online – make the most of it this winter, throughout the year and make sure that the steps you put in place provide you with the platform to build on year after year.
Steve is Mancala's Operations Manager and also our ecommerce and CMS expert. Steve has extensive experience managing and running ecommerce stores and this wealth of knowledge is passed on to Mancala's clients to ensure that their online store is the best it can be. 
