By: Zach Hill, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb.- “Christmas creep” is the phenomenon of retailers introducing Christmas related merchandise and decorations before the holiday season traditionally starts.
According to one study, in 2021, 43% of consumers said they were most likely to begin their holiday shopping before October ends.
To the rest of the customers, this may seem excessive or annoying, but to local retailers, it means all the difference. For some merchants, holiday shopping can account for up to 30% of their yearly sales.
“But then as soon as Halloween’s over, November 1st hits, everything’s gotta get turned around and all the Christmas comes out,” Mangelsen said.
This year, with shoppers still returning to in person browsing after the pandemic, local stores like Mangelsen’s are hoping to continue to compete with the online sales of the big-box-retailers.
“It lacks the ability for somebody to come in and actually touch and feel and that’s something we have here, and you can’t get that sittin’ in front of your computer clickin’ on a mouse,” Mangelsen said.
Although issues like product shortage and inflation continue to plague the supply chain with prices averaging a 25% increase in the U.S. in the last year, that doesn’t stop folks from getting into the spirit early.
One study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology even shows that decorating for Christmas releases certain levels of dopamine. Christmas lover Tammy Allen already has her gifts wrapped and ready to go for the season.
“And you get to experience it longer if you decorate earlier, so I absolutely agree,” Allen said. “I think people like to drive around and look at Christmas lights, I think everything just looks happier.”
Mangelsen adds that for them, their sales have not only matched pre-pandemic, but have exceeded where they were in 2019, giving local businesses everywhere hope for the same.
Mangelsen also said that as long as they keep providing people the feeling of the holiday season, folks will keep coming back for the experience.
