Courtesy of Mish.
Better hurry. There’s “only” 121 shopping days left before Christmas.
If you think that sounds ridiculous so do I. But all it takes is for one major retailer to start Christmas promotions a few days earlier than last year, and all the lemming fall in line.
Thus, retailers en masses started bombarding customers with Christmas promotions three days sooner this year than last.
What to Expect This Holiday Season
MarketWatch says Wal-Mart’s free layaway launch foreshadows a competitive holiday to come.
Many top retailers have cut their full-year earnings outlooks, a clear indication they see a rough holiday season ahead.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT , cognizant of the climate, is wasting no time getting a jump on the competition.
Merchandising and marketing chief Duncan Mac Naughton, speaking Wednesday before 6,000 employees at Wal-Mart’s annual holiday meeting, said the company for the first time will introduce free layaway with no opening fee and no gift-card reimbursements. Last year, Wal-Mart layaways carried a $5 fee. It’s also adding infant toys, car stereos and other automotive electronics to the list of categories available for layaway. The program starts Sept. 13, three days earlier this year, and lasts through Dec. 13.
Citigroup analyst Deborah Weinswig said Wal-Mart’s layaway-tied sales last holiday season rose about 10%. “We have a cautious view on the consumer,” she said, adding Wal-Mart’s no-fee program will resonate with shoppers given the challenging economic environment.
Christmas in August
As goes Wal-Mart, so goes the rest of retail. On Thursday CNBC stated Retailers start Xmas deals.
Even before the school bells are ringing for many families, retailers are sounding sleigh bells.
Yes, that’s right. With 120-plus shopping days left, stores are already talking up their holiday offers.
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