It may not have been the sunniest of Augusts but a store in north Wales has been accused of giving up on summer way too early after it filled shelves with Christmas stock.
A section of the Home Bargains store in Denbigh is awash with festive offerings, from Grinch stockings to gold baubles, from strings of tinsel to plastic wreathes, sparkly reindeers and worker elves’ hats.
The Christmas goodies have appeared while holidaymakers are trying to soak up a few rays at nearby resorts such as Rhyl and with 18 weeks still to go before the big day.
Residents of Denbigh took to their community’s Facebook page, Town Talk, to largely complain, Grinch-like, that Christmas had come too early.
“For god’s sake,” said one angry local. “There should be a ban on this nonsense.” Another said: “Should be illegal until September.” A third suggested: “Much too soon, there should be a date set across the country before any store can put Xmas items out.” Some said they could just about cope with Halloween stock being out – but not Christmas items.
The store manager explained there was a good reason for Christmas “landing early”.
She said: “Christmas can be an expensive time of year for most of us. With the cost of living, we have decided to land Christmas a little earlier this year to help our customers spread the cost.”
She also said that customers who liked the summer shouldn’t fret. “All our gardening and summer stock is also still on sale.”
Readers of the local news website, North Wales Live, weren’t buying it. “The true meaning of Christmas is forgotten these days, it’s all about the money now,” said one.
The store listened – sort of. It hasn’t taken down its Christmas range but has taken note of those wondering why Christmas goodies were out before Halloween ones.
The manager posted on Town Talk: “After a lot of comments about Halloween on our previous post I’m happy to say we have now put it on sale along with our lovely fall range.”
