Queensland Christmas decorations cause a stir

There are still 100 days until Christmas, but retailers have brought out the decor early this year. VOTE IN OUR POLL

It may only be September – but shoppers could be forgiven for thinking the man in the red suit was closer, with flashy Christmas displays already popping up at major shopping centres.

Retail giants Bunnings, David Jones and Myer have dragged out the red-and-green decorations particularly early in preparation for the big day in December.

But Chermside’s Big W and Kmart have been focusing on the more immediate festive season, which is Halloween on October 31.

Bunnings Newstead’s Christmas decor

When The Courier-Mail asked where the Christmas decorations were, a Big W staff member looked confused.

“We’ve got all of our Halloween decorations out for the spooky season, and then after October we will have our Christmas decor,” she said.

Big W Chermside Halloween decorations

National Retail Association operations manager Dan Frost-Foster said retailers generally got the December decor out in late October.

“It usually goes Halloween, Black Friday Sales and then Christmas… so they have certainly brought it forward this year,” Mr Frost-Foster said.

“That being said, you see, Easter hot cross buns within the first week of the new year, and the same comment gets made.”

Mr Frost-Foster said there were some supply chain issues in previous years, which had caused bottlenecks.

“Retailers have been seen receiving their goods earlier this year to allow for those supply chain issues,” he said.

Mr Frost-Foster said this Friday marked 100 days until Christmas.

With retailers bracing for their biggest season, Mr Frost-Foster said consumers should shop ahead and look around for the best deals.

David Jones Chermside Christmas decor

David Jones shopper Denise McDonald said she saw the Christmas decorations had come out last week, which gave her the idea to start her Christmas shopping on Wednesday.

“I don’t need any new decorations but I’ve started my Christmas shopping,” Ms McDonald said.

“Since Toombul Shopping Centre has closed it’s gotten so busy here so I want to beat the rush.”

But another David Jones Shopper disagreed.

Milly Stone from Clayfield said the Christmas decor was out way too early.

“I think it discredits the rest of the year and makes people feel like the year is coming to an end,” Ms Stone said.

“But in reality we actually have three-and-a-half months left of the year.

“I think the absolute earliest the Christmas decorations should be displayed is mid November.”

Ms Stone said she understood people liked to be organised for Christmas, but she believed putting decorations out this early was just a ploy to get people to spend their money unnecessarily.