Brits to start shopping for Christmas unseasonably early this year

Retailers and convenience store owners should start prepping up for Christmas early this year as recent data shows that the sale of trees and Christmas decor rose dramatically in August, suggesting that UK shoppers are preparing for Christmas unseasonably early this year.

As per the figures from luxury artificial Christmas tree and decor brand Balsam Hill, there has been a 60 per cent surge in sales of trees and decorations in August compared to last year.

Balsam Hill also claimed to have experienced a 145 per cent increase in visitors to its website compared to the same month a year ago. The company said the uplift suggests that Christmas 2021 will be bigger than ever after last year’s more modest lockdown celebrations.

Mac Harman, founder and chief executive of Balsam Hill, said that it is clear that the UK is looking ahead to festive celebrations even earlier than usual, not only to catch up on lost time with family and friends over the past year but to uplift their mood with some Christmas cheer after a summer indoors.

“With trees and decorations being snapped up even earlier than in 2020, Christmas 2021 looks set to be one of the most anticipated and special we’ve ever had,” Harman said.

The revelation came a week after John Lewis department store revealed that festive searches reached a record high on its website in August with Christmas trees, lights and wreaths topping the most searched product. 

In addition, searches for ‘Christmas’ on the Waitrose supermarket site have also been 64 per cent higher than last year with the most searched for products including turkey, mince pies and Christmas pudding, reports said.

The data not only suggests that customers seem to be planning to make Christmas extra special this year but it also claims that the celebrations are going to be bigger this time.

Christmas buyers at John Lewis are predicting that oversized and unusual room decorations will be particularly popular in 2021 as customers are said to be looking for more unique decorating pieces for their homes.