With Selfridges going all out for both international and domestic Christmas shoppers – those who like to get Christmas done and dusted as early as possible outside of the traditional Christmas season – the department store put it’s Christmas offer in store two days earlier than usual on July 29. Currently on display are gifts, cards and wrap, as well as trees, tree decorations and baubles.
Gift indies agree that you can’t put Christmas in early enough. While buying early and putting product in around the October half term is the norm, most agree that their customers start asking for Christmas gifts during the summer. “You can never put Christmas in early enough,” states Jo Webber, co-owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton, with Aga Gabrysiak, owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth, confirming that she puts her Christmas ranges in during the last week of September. “We turn one room into a Christmas shop,” she explains, “with customers seeking out gifts as early as June.”
At Etcetera, mother and daughter Anna and Katrina Raill, co-owners of Etcetera in Hitchin, buy Christmas stories and introduce them in mid-October to mid-November. “Our stockroom is always full, and we say we will never sell everything but we always do,” confirms Anna. “In fact, we invest so heavily that people think we’re a Christmas shop!”
As Carol Bairstow, owner of Pure Inspiration in Ramsey points out, there are three wages packet opportunities – September, October and November – “so we always invest heavily in Christmas, which is huge for us. We get product out as early as possible.”
“We start our Christmas buying in January, and, with four shops in our portfolio, we’re feeling very excited about the next few months,” enthused Rachel Roberts, co-owner of four MOOCH gift shops in Northamptonshire.
At Highworth Emporium’s Aga Gabrysiak is already playing with ideas for the festive season. “I’m feeling very optimistic that it’s going to go well,” she comments optimistically.
Top: Selfridges has been the first UK department store to unveil its Christmas room this year.
