I can’t believe I’m writing a holiday-themed blog post already. And not because it’s September and I feel the holidays are still too far away, it’s quite the contrary here at NRF. I simply can’t believe it because it feels like just yesterday we announced our 2010 forecast - then revised our holiday forecast – and wrapped up our 100th Annual Convention.
It’s officially the start of the holiday season and retailers are stocking up on tree trimmings and small trinkets to display for their early-bird shoppers as we speak. Many retailers have even announced the specific dates they’ll begin lining their shelves with small holiday decor. Christmas – in September? Trust me, there’s plenty of demand for it. For as long as NRF has conducted its holiday spending survey – which is heading into its ninth year - 40 percent of Americans have said they begin their holiday shopping before Halloween. That means that while they are choosing which vampire or pumpkin costume they want, they are also reaching for ornaments and tree skirts.
NRF’s Ellen Davis joined the CBS Early Show to discuss this trend. Retailers aren’t quick to abandon Halloween altogether, but they know many shoppers out there really want to get some of their holiday shopping done early. Watch the video below.
One Trackback
[...] Shoppers are starting the holidays earlier this year. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales have become the norm in retail today, PayPal’s data indicates that another spike in holiday shopping is emerging. Right after dinner on Thanksgiving Day, shoppers are getting a head start on their holiday shopping right from the couch on their smartphones and tablets. [...]