When browsing through, The Atlantic, this past weekend, I came upon an article regarding the fact that Christmas advertising comes earlier and earlier each year. I sarcastically thought to myself, "Wow, what a shock", and began to reflect on how each year it seems as though Christmas music begins playing "too soon", considering it tends to even start weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
In regard to marketing and consumerism, it is crucial for businesses to be ahead of their consumers demand, specifically in preparing for holiday shopping. It is never too early to get shoppers into the "holiday spirit" because it gives fervent shoppers time to mentally prepare for the heavy shopping season ahead. This time of year is often business' most successful, therefore it is vital that they do their best in promoting and advertising their products and the sooner the better. It does not go unnoticed that stores begin avidly decorating their window displays and exhibiting their large signs no later than Black Friday, but it is not a rare finding that one will find bits and pieces of snowflakes and mistletoe dressing the stores even as early as September. Although it may seem to be an annoying, burdensome ploy to certain buyers, according to a Bain & Company poll, two-thirds of those surveyed had none to few negative feelings about the early advertising, and one-third even reported that it lifted their spirits.
This evidence is proof that the marketers and advertisers strategies are effective. Regardless of whether or not it is, "too early", for holiday shopping, many consumers buy into it and are blinded by the joy and warmness that comes with the territory of getting in the holiday spirit. If companies are readily prepared in advance for the busiest shopping season of the year, then they will only benefit. It is now less likely that when the end of the season approaches, they will be out of stock of high demand products. Therefore, the marketers may be on to something, for Christmas in September may be seen as pushing the limits, but as long as the shoppers are merry by Christmas morning, so will the companies.
I have been thinking about this a lot recently when I was in stores before halloween even and they were full of Christmas decorations! It it annoying, because then I think that Christmas is closer than it actually is. But also a little concerning, because each year it does get earlier and earlier. When will they stop? or will there just be Christmas decorations year round?
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