It’s August, And Retailers Are Already Thinking Holiday Shopping
With over 120 shopping days left before Christmas, retailers already have holiday shopping on the brain.
Take Toys R Us: on Wednesday they announced that it would expand its price-match guarantee to include online retailers including Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Target.com and BestBuy.com, among others.
Another example? Walmart also announced on Wednesday that it will drop the $5 fee it charged shoppers in previous years to open a layaway account.
CNBC reported that Walmart shoppers can begin putting eligible items on layaway for the holidays on September 13, with the retailer’s Facebook fans gaining access two days earlier.
“All year long, but especially during the holidays, our customers need a low price leader,” said the retail giant’s chief merchandising and marketing officer Duncan Mac Naughton in a statement.
“This year, we are committed to doing everything we did last year to help Americans save money—plus more. More savings, more layaway items and our commitment that they can give their families a great Christmas on a budget.”
Not feeling the Christmas crunch just yet? Well, the Daily Mail says you aren’t alone.
Experts say that while 40 percent of holiday shoppers start buying before Halloween, the real deals don’t come until November first.
This is not a big time for toy sales,” said Consumer World founder Edgar Dworsky. ‘Pool clearance,maybe?”
Dave Cheatham, managing principal of Velocity Retail Group said that “Retailers are determined not to be left on the sidelines. They’re reinventing the rules on how to do holiday shopping.”
Kathy Grannis, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation said that there is some basis for the Chirstmas-in-August approach retailers take:
“We do know that 40 percent of holiday shoppers say they begin shopping before Halloween.”
While retaliers may be thinking end of the year and holiday shopping, that doesn’t mean you have to start worrying just yet. Take advantage of the post-summer sales maybe, and save the holiday shopping for the cooler weather.
[Image via Shutterstock/ lola1960]
