A stroll through any retail precinct, from the city to the suburban shopping centres and the sales signs are already in the windows, offering up to 50 per cent and more for jumpers, boots, coats as well as scarfs and hats.

Even Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder has warned that the unseasonably warm weather had hit discount department store chain Target's sales.

While there has been some snow falling and the start of the ski season is not far away, there is already discounted items in that sector.

Mall owners say its been a mixed month with shoppers coming to the centres, more to use food courts and collect items bought online, but then they head out to enjoy the sunshine.

If it's a warm run up to winter, most men do not buy clothes, preferring to wait for the sales.

In the past few years Myer and David Jones have started the mid-year clearance sales at the beginning of June, which is expected to happen again this year.

Myer said in its quarterly update that the weather was causing havoc for some apparel labels.

The store declined to comment on whether an early round of discounting was on the cards before the traditional June 30 sale, saying it was outside the group's reporting season. David Jones also declined to comment.

But Myer chief executive Richard Umbers said in May: "In recent weeks, the unseasonably warm start to winter has contributed to subdued sales of winter product.

"The 2016 Federal election campaign occurs during a key trading period and Myer is anticipating an impact on consumer sentiment during this period but it is difficult to quantify. At this time, Myer believes it is well placed to manage the business through this period of uncertainty and therefore continues to expect net profit after tax for the 2016 financial year be between $66 million and $72 million excluding the impact of implementation costs associated with New Myer," Mr Umbers said.

Credit Suisse analysts said post the Myer quarterly update that "whilst weather may deliver a poor fourth quarter outcome (and drives our earnings downgrade for the 2016 financial year), trend improvement is clearly more material".

The chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association, Russell Zimmerman, said the warm weather was having a significant impact across the retail sector.

He said it was a three-pronged issue where retailers are left with excess stock so must discount to clear the shelves, the election keeps people from spending and as margins on sales tighten, the stores are forced to let staff go, which means less people to buy things.

"This warm weather is having a huge impact on retail turnover, margins and stock holdings," Mr Zimmerman said.

"It's being felt across the industry, from those selling winter coats and boots, to the kitchenwares business, such as soup makers and crockpots, to electric blankets and heaters.

"Even if we get a sharp cold spell, most people will now wait for the sales to buy new items that they may only use for a couple of months."

Mr Zimmerman said the weather would also cause stock holdings issues, given that most fashion retailers look to buy spring and summer clothes in the coming month.

"If there is excess stock that hasn't been sold, that will force the retailer to have clearance racks in the shops, which is never a great solution," he said.

Scentre Group's chief executive Peter Allen added to the weather debate at the recent annual general meeting, saying that it was "a tough time for apparel retailers" who are trying to sell winter clothes when its 26 degrees in late May.