Christmas comes early for North shoppers

Sep 27 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

“CHRISTMAS is coming . . . run!” That’s the very apt message on the Christmas card I’ve just bought after looking at this year’s gift selections on the high street, and within minutes of being accosted by a reindeer on stilts handing out festive party flyers.

Moments earlier I’d been handed a mince pie by a man also passing out tinsel-strewn flyers. And yet it’s only September.

When you reach a certain age (my age), you find yourself annually bemoaning how Christmas comes earlier each year . . . but this year the saying is true.

The sleigh-bells and Bing Crosby music may not be playing and banners, baubles and lights may not be shining yet, but stores across the North – indeed, right across the UK – have quietly sneaked in their yuletide stock earlier, it seems, than ever . . . and it’s down to the credit crunch.

A survey carried out by supermarket giant ASDA has shown 75% of consumers say they will start their Christmas shopping earlier than last year – 48% will stock up from September – in a bid to beat the recession by spreading the cost over several months.

Marks and Spencer’s instore Christmas shops won’t officially open until the end of October but I found selection boxes, festive biscuit tins, cards and wrapping paper in the Metrocentre and Newcastle stores.

Debenhams have been selling festive wares for around three weeks, as has Boots with a huge 3 for 2 gift selection, John Lewis stocked up from Monday and Fenwick were in the process of putting out cards and wrapping paper last Wednesday.

The shops may be full of the stuff, but the hours won’t be extended for a while, however.

Tim Lamb, General Manager of Newcastle’s Eldon Square complex said the extended Christmas trading hours will start on Monday, November 30.

He added: “This has been discussed with the retailers and it is a date they feel is appropriate.”

Over at the Metrocentre the official Christmas launch will take place during November.

The prospect of stretching the build-up to December 25 over another 89 shopping days saddens the Reverend Glyn Evans, Newcastle city centre chaplain and vicar of St Andrews, who fears the true message of Christmas will be diluted amid the shopping frenzy.

He claims high street chains are simply using the recession as an excuse to entice us to spend more.