Christmas Stocking Report
One of the reasons I was certain we were in a recession last year was my informal survey of Christmas merchandise in stores last year. I noticed there wasn’t as much stuff, and it was obvious because the aisle displays weren’t in use at stores. In 2006 you could barely move with all of the stuff filling space in the aisles.
This year PoP at Morning Martini noticed a further reduction, the road side tents selling Christmas trees are missing from her area. Once she said it, I realized she was right, the normal places where various groups have been selling Christmas trees for years are empty. The tents that shift from Christmas trees to fireworks on the 26th are not up. They were there last year, but not this year.
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Now that you mention it, I haven’t noticed any road side Christmas tree sellers either this year. I’m also noticing less Christmas decorations on houses, but that could be due to the excessive cold and snow we have been having here in Chi Town.
I was at the mall today. It was quite empty. I suppose that could be because it was a Wednesday, but it was so empty you could shoot a canon through it and not hit anyone. The anchor stores were doing a bit of business, but I’d guess that was because they were handing out 20% off coupons like candy. And that was on top of the already reduced sale prices. They were well stocked too. I found everything I needed.
Starbucks was selling bags of Christmas blend coffee beans at 20% off! I have never seen that before… not even after Christmas… they never discount their coffee. Sign of the times I guess.
We are waiting to see if the local Office Depot will survive, as Office Max disappeared 18 months ago and the two of them wiped out all of the local stores.
The sets of lights I bought last Sunday were 75% off. They were LEDs, I couldn’t believe it when I checked out, and the shelves were almost bare. They started sales before people really started buying.
There were a number of little things that I buy for stocking stuffers that just aren’t available this year. Things are looking grim around here.