The cold snap that finally settled into January after months of mild weather had both positive and negative effects for sales at Weyburn businesses.

Packages for sunny destinations sold out in January at CAA Travel in Weyburn, says manager Lorena Squires.

Mexico is one of the top destinations of choice, Squires says, due to the fact that packages are inexpensive and there are direct flights to two destinations out of Regina.

Squires says sales were on par with this time last year for travel packages, due in large part to the cold snap. The increase can also be attributed to seat sales offered by airlines to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia.

"Into the coming month, it will be a bit of a tough go because space is so hard to find and most people already have their arrangements made," said Squires, adding many families have made travel plans in advance of the February school break.

Movie and video game rentals have been steadily flying off the shelf at Gone Hollywood over the past month with people huddled in their homes as the cold weather set in.

"It's been decent, for sure. We're running about the same as last year. The cold weather always makes it better, but generally in the winter time we're busy anyway," said owner Myron Bruder.

While movies are still the most popular items for rent, video games are gaining with high sales.

"It's because we've really gone heavy into them - I have a big selection and the game industry is a big part of it. It was something that had to be built up," Bruder said.

He expect sales will drop as spring approaches and the weather warms.

Warm weather is what Miles Johnston, manager of Land, Sea and Sky is hoping will help boost lagging sales over the traditionally slow winter months in the outdoor gear business.

"It's not good, we're pretty dead. We're behind from last year," he said.

But weather isn't the only factor.

"I believe (the drop in sales is due to) the economy, the overall farming picture, everything - people are just strapped for cash," he said.

Since moving the business to a downtown location in November, Johnston says Land, Sea and Sky has more exposure, but it hasn't translated into a large increase in sales.

He also says winter gear - like snowboards and winter coats - hasn't been flying off the racks.

Dairy Queen owner Brian Bakken says his sales are obviously affected by the colder weather, with people shying away from frozen treats during winter and preferring to stay home at night.

But with a short warm spell at the end of January, sales increased.

"(January sales) were about par with last year. We came back with better weather at the end of January and overall we were happy with it," he said.

Bakken said it usually takes time to bounce back after Christmas, when people's credit card bills arrive in the mail and they begin to tighten their purse strings. It also takes time to bounce back after a cold snap.

"February so far looks very good, but we're not looking for a big increase in sales this year with the farm economy being so close. But added oil patch activity in the area has helped to offset some of that," he said, adding a coupon sales campaign has had a positive impact.

Bakken says this being the millennium year, he expects an increased amount of homecomings this summer, and hopes the increased summer activity will boost sales higher than average.