Santa Becomes a September Fixture

Retailers start the holidays even earlier this year

In an economy where consumers are willing to do almost anything to save a few £s and retailers appear to do anything to make a few £s, it’s becoming more common for stores to roll out Christmas holiday goods in the month of September.

Christmas arrives early Christmas merchandise has been at certain stores since 1st September and will begin showing up on some retailers shelves in the coming weeked, followed by the dreaded Christmas adverts on the TV.

“Retailers are putting out a little bit of holiday stuff earlier each year,” says Mike Gatti of the National Retail Federation’s marketing division. “They know a substantial number of consumers will pick out Christmas tree ornaments even as they’re picking out Halloween pumpkins.”

More than 37% of shoppers — and 42% of women — plan to do some holiday shopping by Halloween, reports an NRF consumer survey and retailers are happy to oblige as they chase the profits to help with year end trading.