What is the possible influence of the snow mentioned in the news item? [original

A massive storm that dumped about a half-meter of snow from Virginia to Maine did more than frustrate motorists.(21)It added to the woes of retailers that were already bracing for weak holiday sales as the United States struggles to emerge from the deepest and longest recession of the post-World War II era.
    (22)The storm’s timing could hardly have been worse, blanketing the most-populous regions of the United States on the last weekend before Christmas, when millions of Americans are preparing to exchange gifts.
    Even before the storm, the National Retail Federation was predicting a one percent drop in US holiday sales compared to last year. Although an economic recovery is believed to be underway, US unemployment remains stubbornly high and consumers appear more focused on saving and debt reduction than spending.