When do you put out your Christmas Stock?

[Drpepper]

I usually put my Christmas stock on November 6th (that'll be the 5th this year as the 6th is a Saturday) and find this generally goes down well with customers and no complaints that it's "too early", but early enough to catch those that post overseas.

When do you display yours and why?

Just out of interest mind, and it may help those who are approaching their first Christmas in retail.

 

[deniser]

I think that's about right. The big stores have of course been selling Christmas stuff for several weeks now but it's fighting with Halloween and Bonfire Night for space.

When we used to have a village shop, it was severely frowned upon (and would cost you customers) if you put your Christmas stuff out before Armistice Day so you might want to check similar local sensitivities depending on your location.

 

[stoneygate trading]

1 or 2 weeks after halloween

 

[chinadreambox]

we do that in Oct,which goods do u sell for christmas ?christmas cards or led goods?or other goods ?

 

[Stuart Bailey]

I would say now becuase people are buying christmas presents now

 

[Drpepper]

I would say now becuase people are buying christmas presents now

But what if you have to remove some "everyday" stock from the shelves to make room for the Christmas stock? This is why timing is everything for the smaller retailer. To early and you loose "everyday" sales, to late and you loose Christmas sales.

 

[jamie1183]

Our lighting retailer client launched the www.Christmas-lighting.co.uk website 2 weeks ago and orders have started coming through slowly we expect it to improve around 1st or 2nd week in November going by last year.

 

Are you supposed to take them down.?:|

Earl

 

[jack880]

I start ir approx. one month before and it always work for me.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

As a shopper I really hate seeing Christmas puddings where you expected to find baked beans in October ..... as a relatively new shop-owner though I am worried that if I don't start putting out Christmas goodies early enough we'll lose potential sales. It's really tricky getting it right! However, my shop is really an art and craft supplies/gift store, and most of our stock would probably come uner the "stocking-filler" category rather than main Christmas present stuff.
We've been desperately quiet over the past couple of weeks (October was a terrible month for us) so a good November/December will be crucial to our survival. Our Christmas stock and tree will be out on Nov 12 ....... hopefully things will pick up.

 

[Babycakegifts]

Around this time is good christmas is quickly approaching and everyone should be buying soon.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I suppose that would depend on who your customer is. If you are a wholesaler selling B2B then you would need to get your stock out a month or two before the retailers plan to sell it. Look at Costco for example. When I was there two months ago they had already started selling their Christmas gear and winter clothing.

Also the Christmas season has a very definate cut-off point of 24th Decemeber (after which you will be selling heavily discounted christmas wrap etc).

But do you really want to eat into all that tasty margin you made pre 25th December by slashing prices thereafter? If I was in the business of selling christmas stock I would be disappointed if I had anything more than 5% of my seasonal stock left after this date. Good purchasing is almost as important as good sales.

 

[Stuart Bailey]

Doodles if your October was rubbish why wait till the 14th? Get your christmas stock out now!

 

[OLPS]

I think you have it just about right DrPepper.

 

[keepitsecret]

Are Products have been on our site for the last 2 weeks on a pre-order basis as we were a little late to get our xmas stock in from Japan. How-ever orders have been flooding in since so I'm guessing people don't want to miss the opportunity to get the products.

 

[Lorro2]

I sell Christmas stuff all year round and there are quite a few other shops that do.