Confronted with a sluggish economy, unusual weather patterns, and a more thrifty public that’s also suffering from a lack of free time for shopping, clothing retailers are finally catching on.

A growing number of retail chains including Old Navy, Payless ShoeSource, Express, American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch are trying to increase sales by offering clothes more in sync with the climate, a change from the decades-old policy of stocking winter clothes in July and summer clothes in January.

That means consumers will find more lightweight clothes and sandals through August — not a rehash of spring and summer styles, but new fall products that can be worn now. And in some areas, they won’t find a lot of heavy outerwear until October.

Good! Now maybe they’ll consider an end to the practice putting out their Christmas displays in June.