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Why Stores are Throwing out the Traditional Retail Calendar

October 13, 2024

As seasonal traditions and consumer preferences evolve, retailers are adapting their schedules to cater for shoppers keen to start celebrating earlier. Samantha Kowalczyk, like many others, enjoys extending festive seasons and indulging in seasonal flavours and scents as soon as possible. Her desire to embrace pumpkin spice in August and holiday fragrances well before December mirrors a wider trend.

Retailers such as Bath & Body Works, Balsam Hill, Whole Foods, and Krispy Kreme are tapping into this growing demand by launching their festive ranges weeks before the traditional holiday shopping period begins on 1 November. This approach appeals to cost-conscious consumers who may hold off on bigger purchases, like winter clothing, but are keen to take advantage of limited-time seasonal promotions and nostalgic flavours and scents.

Analysts highlight that this year’s holiday season is especially compressed, with Thanksgiving falling on 28 November, leaving fewer shopping days before Christmas. To counter this shortened period, retailers are encouraging early spending by releasing seasonal products earlier. For consumers like Kowalczyk, this extended celebration period allows them to enjoy the festive spirit for longer, blending nostalgia with convenience. Retailers are keen to meet this demand, using the emotional draw of seasonal experiences to boost sales in an otherwise challenging economic environment.
Source: AP News