It’s August, the sun is shining, and the last thing on most people’s minds is Christmas. But for those who ventured into their local B&M, the festive season arrived early. Shoppers were met with rows of Christmas wrapping paper, chocolate, and even stockings, sparking a debate about the appropriate timing of holiday merchandise.
The early arrival of Christmas at B&M caused a stir on social media. Many shoppers, while acknowledging their love for the holiday, felt it was simply too early for Christmas to be on display. Comments ranged from “way too early” to “behave, we’ve not even finished holidays or had Halloween.” Some argued that the early arrival of Christmas takes away from the specialness of the holiday, as people become fatigued by the constant exposure to festive cheer.
However, on the other side of the coin, some shoppers welcomed the chance to get a head start on their Christmas shopping, spreading the cost over several months. They saw the early availability as a positive, embracing the opportunity to stock up on festive favorites.
B&M isn’t the only retailer jumping the gun on Christmas. Cadbury has also launched several of its popular Christmas chocolate treats earlier than usual, with customers spotting Cadbury Chocolate Coins, Cadbury Mini Snowballs, Christmas Puds, and Dairy Milk Winter Mint Crisp bars in Asda. This early rollout of holiday products has sparked a discussion about the motivations behind this trend.
Psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur explains that the main reason supermarkets introduce festive goods early is to encourage shoppers to consume more. The early display of holiday items aims to generate excitement and anticipation, prompting consumers to begin their Christmas preparations ahead of schedule. Kaur also suggests that the early introduction of holiday items, especially at lower prices, creates a sense of urgency, leading consumers to buy sooner for fear of missing out or facing higher prices closer to the holiday season.
The early arrival of Christmas is a reminder that the holiday season is becoming increasingly commercialized, with retailers looking for new ways to entice consumers and drive sales. This trend raises questions about the impact of early holiday marketing and whether it truly enhances the holiday experience or simply diminishes its magic by turning it into a relentless cycle of consumerism.
