'Twas 147 Shopping Days Before Christmas ...

[Robbien]

. . .

America's retailers are responding to the recession with Christmas in July. A number of retailers and toy makers launched Christmas sales and promotions this month, hoping to boost sagging sales and help cash-strapped consumers stretch out their holiday spending.

Toys "R" Us Inc. decided to market its summertime Christmas discounts with an image of Santa lounging on the beach in sunglasses. Sears.com and Kmart.com used a vintage, snowy street scene accompanied by offers of free shipping.

. . .

Retailers once waited until late November to roll out their Christmas promotions. In recent years, St. Nick has donned his furry red coat as early as September as retailers compete more aggressively for holiday sales.

That's when Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Sam's Club and Costco Wholesale Corp. typically start putting up some of their big holiday displays, such as a giant inflatable Santa and other Christmas items. This year's tough economy persuaded QVC, Liberty Media Corp.'s shopping channel, to put more emphasis on its two-decade-old Christmas-in-July event.

"Given the dreary economic climate, we thought we could bring customers a little more cheer in the middle of summer," said QVC Chief Executive Mike George.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124899822482095375.html


Perhaps they are thinking people will be completely out of money/credit by the time Christmas rolls around this year.

[rocktivity]

1. That explains the K-Mart commercials I've been seeing

about Christmas layaway planning.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Berry Cool]

2. You know what signs of Christmas in July I've been seeing around here?

Aside from all the crappy sales and bar promotions and so on?

One that's equally telling.

A few weeks ago as I walked to my local supermarket, I could have sworn I heard a bell ringing, just like at Christmastime when the Salvation Army folks park at the entrance with their kettles.

Sure enough, when I came in, there was someone from the Salvation Army with a kettle, ringing a bell.

I thought "Yep--it really IS Christmas in July. Even they have to start early."

[Jane Austin]

3. It's not that we think you'll be out of money by Christmas.

It's more like we need a cash infusion to make payroll - and to pay the insurance premiums for our employees.

We'll be happy to sell you anything right now - and, yes, all our Christmas stuff was on sale in July.