Too Early? Alhambra Store Debuts Christmas Trees Next To Halloween Candy
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — If you thought summertime was still too early to stock up on trick-or-treat candy for Halloween, how about Christmas shopping in September?
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports one local big box store is hoping to cash in early on what could be a gloomy holiday shopping season.
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Rows of artificial Christmas trees, nativity scenes, wrapping paper, sparkly ribbons and other seasonal items are now for sale alongside candy and costumes for a Costco store in Alhambra.
"It's a little early," said one man.
"It's rushing the season, I'd say," another shopper said.
The early roll-out could be in anticipation of what may be the bleakest holiday forecast since 2008 — one in which nearly a quarter of Americans are likely to spend less than they did last year, according to one survey.
Nearly 27 percent of shoppers surveyed by America's Research Group said they planned to cut Christmas spending this year, while over half expect to spend only as much as they did in 2010.
It's a forecast that may be downright terrifying to retailers, but one that's unlikely to scare up sales this early in the season.
"I have seen it when I walk the aisles but I don't care to look at it now," said one woman. "I'm not ready."
