This month Christmas is the main topic of conversation for wholesalers.
August and September are very busy months for wholesalers and distributors as retailers buy their Christmas stock. Shops usually start selling their Christmas decorations and gifts in September and October before the busy period starts in November and into December.
This year, one retailer has changed the rules of the game and opened their shop early for Christmas; and it’s not even autumn.
Pound Wholesale recommends retailers prepare early for Christmas. This gives you the opportunity to purchase plenty of bestselling stock and foresee what the best product lines will be. It also means you can avoid disappointment if wholesalers run out of certain products.
Retailers don’t normally start releasing their Christmas stock until September but this year, one retailer has started selling their Christmas goods early.
Selfridges on Oxford Street in London has opened its Christmas shop almost five months before the big day.
Christmas presents and decorations are available for purchase and even Father Christmas managed to get time off to attend the opening. The concession store has been created into a winter wonderland filled with festive activities and gifts.
Geraldine James, the Christmas home and decoration buyer at Selfridges, said: ''We've been working on this year's Christmas Shop since Christmas last year.
''We have so many customers visiting from all over the world and eager to snap up festive souvenirs on their summer holidays, which they can't buy at home.
''So, we have to make sure we're ready to showcase Christmas decorations they will truly treasure.''
As Christmas has become a bigger event each and every year, we still wonder if August is still too early for retailers to get into the Christmas spirit.
Does this mean retailers are going to start selling Christmas products earlier next year?