Christmas, is it coming earlier?

[STEVIEBOY1]

Good afternoon,

I wonder if firms are trying to stimulate their business somewhat as I have had 2 emails in the past couple of days advertising Christmas 2020 products already, I have sometimes seen the odd Christmas things appear in July but not in June. No doubt it will be Valentines bits next quickly followed by Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs.

 

[pdeaves]

Way back in early January I saw decorations out!

 

[causton]

I'm sure they're doing it with good reason - if they don't try to drum up some business, the company might not exist come Christmas!

 

[philjo]

Some orders are currently taking 6 weeks for delivery so won’t take long until last ordering dates to guarantee Christmas delivery from those firms !

 

[Mcr Warrior]

No doubt it will be Valentines bits next quickly followed by Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs.

Easter eggs were about the only thing that didn't sell out a couple or so months ago when everyone was seemingly panic-buying alcohol-gel, toilet rolls, pasta and flour.

 

[PeterC]

Are they targeting wholesale or retail? When I worked in retail now was the time to order our Christmas ranges.

 

[najaB]

Good afternoon,

I wonder if firms are trying to stimulate their business somewhat as I have had 2 emails in the past couple of days advertising Christmas 2020 products already, I have sometimes seen the odd Christmas things appear in July but not in June. No doubt it will be Valentines bits next quickly followed by Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs.

Not really. But this thread is earlier and earlier every year.

 

[Bob figgis]

Yep been “Peak” planning for three weeks now at work. Christmas is the peak of our business, it is win or die time every year for retailers. The only time a lot of retailers make any money.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Easter eggs were about the only thing that didn't sell out a couple or so months ago when everyone was seemingly panic-buying alcohol-gel, toilet rolls, pasta and flour.

Talking of Easter, I bought some hot cross buns in Tesco on Saturday. They were very nice, but definitely seems a bit early for next Easter

 

[Cowley]

Talking of Easter, I bought some hot cross buns in Tesco on Saturday. They were very nice, but definitely seems a bit early for next Easter

I really fancy one of them right now...

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I really fancy one of them right now...

I'm sorry, I ate them all. It was Saturday so they'd probably have been a bit stale by now anyway

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I'm sure they're doing it with good reason - if they don't try to drum up some business, the company might not exist come Christmas!

Yes very true.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have noticed a couple of the firms that operate, mainly steam, railtours in the UK are now selling their Pre Christmas tours. Perhaps being hopeful after yesterdays announcement.

 

[OuterDistant]

Don't forget that tomorrow is 25th June, which is Un-Christmas Day

 

[GusB]

Not really. But this thread is earlier and earlier every year.

The Boxing Day services debate will be along shortly

 

[PeterC]

The next Christmas thread will be because cards are on sale in time to send them surface mail to Australia.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The Boxing Day services debate will be along shortly

The in-laws always go home Boxing Day morning and I can relax. Please don't make me work

 

[Bald Rick]

Our local corner shop has started selling Creme eggs!

 

[scotrail158713]

Our local corner shop has started selling Creme eggs!

I’ve got no problem with that. I’ll happily eat them all year round.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Our local corner shop has started selling Creme eggs!

Have you checked the best before / sell by dates on them? Might just be leftovers from April (!)

 

[najaB]

Have you checked the best before / sell by dates on them? Might just be leftovers from April (!)

Indeed, my closest shop never ran out.

 

[Hadders]

WH Smith at Euston still has Easter Eggs on sale.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Our local corner shop has started selling Creme eggs!

I think Creme Eggs are on sale all through the year.

 

[Hadders]

I think Creme Eggs are on sale all through the year.

They’re not. A few years back Cadbury’s made them available all year but sales were lower so they reverted to being an Easter seasonal line only.

 

[Bald Rick]

I think Creme Eggs are on sale all through the year.

They are *made* all year, but (usually) only shipped to for sale to retailers from Boxing Day to Easter Sunday. Of course some sneak out a little early or stay out a little longer. Those that are made from Easter to about November are frozen in a giant cold store warehouse (used to be in Gloucester, not sure if it still is) and very slowly defrosted to meet demand after Christmas. Those made from about November are sent straight to the shelves via normal warehouses.

To be fair, I’m reasonably sure the ones I saw were hangovers from Easter. Also, since Kraft / Modelez swapped the chocolate of the Creme egg from Dairy Milk to amore standard (and cheaper) milk chocolate they are not as nice and I suspect sales are significantly down. Particularly this year with everyone locked up for Easter.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

To be fair, I’m reasonably sure the ones I saw were hangovers from Easter. Also, since Kraft / Modelez swapped the chocolate of the Creme egg from Dairy Milk to amore standard (and cheaper) milk chocolate they are not as nice and I suspect sales are significantly down. Particularly this year with everyone locked up for Easter.

Indeed. Plus over the last few years, they have become pretty expensive compared to a lot of other just-as-nice chocolate, price-for-weight. I used to adore creme eggs, but don't think I've had any now for a couple of years.

 

[najaB]

Indeed. Plus over the last few years, they have become pretty expensive compared to a lot of other just-as-nice chocolate, price-for-weight. I used to adore creme eggs, but don't think I've had any now for a couple of years.

They're way too sweet for my taste. The Oreo ones are much better.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Also, since Kraft / Modelez swapped the chocolate of the Creme egg from Dairy Milk to a more standard (and cheaper) milk chocolate they are not as nice and I suspect sales are significantly down. Particularly this year with everyone locked up for Easter.

The Cadbury's Creme Egg product "re-formulation" (= more sugar, less milk?) was announced back in January 2015 and sales, not unsurprisingly, dropped by some £6 mln in the following year, apparently. Can't imagine that they will have improved much this year!

 

[najaB]

The Cadbury's Creme Egg product "re-formulation" (= more sugar, less milk?) was announced back in January 2015 ... Can't imagine that they will have improved much this year!

At five and a half years old, I suspect you're right!

 

[Bald Rick]

Indeed. Plus over the last few years, they have become pretty expensive compared to a lot of other just-as-nice chocolate, price-for-weight. I used to adore creme eggs, but don't think I've had any now for a couple of years.

Same here - I’ve had one in the last 4 years and it was such a disappointment. I well remember “in the old days” eating / chugging a pack of six one after the other and thinking it was the best thing ever. My personal record is 4 at once, but that did hurt a bit.