Aug 17, 2007

For some stores and consumers, the Christmas season has already gotten under wayBy Ashley HarrisChron.com

A study done on the spending habits of consumers in holiday season 2006 by BIGresearch, a Worthington, Ohio-based consumer research firm, confirmed that Christmas shopping is the biggest seasonal shopping draw.

On a sweltering afternoon this week, Nancy Kiely found refuge in a world of holiday cheer — an air-conditioned oasis of artificial trees, tinsel and Santas. All it took was a quick walk over the burning asphalt into her local Hobby Lobby, where in one corner was a veritable winter wonderland for shoppers devoted to purchasing Christmas wares early.

Really early.

The Hobby Lobby across from Meyerland Plaza began setting up for Christmas in June. It was not the first. Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts began in May.

This makes sense to Kiely.

“I try to be through with my decoration shopping around Thanksgiving, even if that means starting in the summer,” said Kiely, 58, a massage therapist in Houston. “Half of my family does the same thing. I like to start my Christmas shopping early, and usually I’ll get a good deal. Last year around this time I stumbled upon an 80-percent-off sale on some really great Christmas stuff. It’s worth it.”

Despite Christmas being four months away, these stores are beginning to generate sales for that holiday season.

The Hobby Lobby has dedicated about a dozen aisles to holiday decor in the store, not to mention the pallet of already-assembled artificial Christmas trees. Earl Johnson, co-manager of the Hobby Lobby in the Meyerland area, estimates that his store brings in $6 million to $8 million from selling Christmas goods alone from June to December.

Read complete article.