Shropshire stores stock up on Christmas goods

Christmas has already arrived in Shropshire supermarkets, with some retailers kicking off the season's promotions just days after the August bank holiday.

Packets of mince pies were on sale at selected Sainsbury's stores for 59 pence on September 1 - 115 days before Christmas. This week they were joined by Christmas puddings on a three-for-two deal and £5 tins of Quality Street confectionery.

Decorations will hit stores later this month.

And stores in Shropshire are already getting in on the act.

Peter Briggs, store manager for Sainsbury's in Meole Brace, in Shrewsbury, said: "We've already started selling Quality Street and we've got a range of Christmas chocolates in the warehouse which will go out in the store over the weekend.

"Christmas is here already in a way which I suppose is a good thing, some people don't want them yet but some people like to spread the cost and buy things to tuck away in the cupboard at home - everyone is different in their shopping habits."

He added after a successful trial last year they would also be letting people pre-order turkeys for the first time in the Shrewsbury store.

He said: "It's always a big challenge knowing when to buy a turkey because it takes up a lot of space but you don't want to leave it too late and not get one, this way people can order it and know it's secured."

Denise Patrick, who works in Write Here! Kite Now! in High Street, in Shrewsbury, said they had already started to sell charity Christmas cards.

She said: "We've got boxes of Christmas cards and calendars.

"People like to buy calendars as Christmas gifts to send abroad and they also like to get cards to send abroad early."

But David Meara, rector of St Bride's Fleet Street and Archdeacon of London, said stocking Christmas products so early was "to the detriment of the spirit of Christmas".

He said: "With products sold in September, by the time December comes you're totally fed up.

"The danger is people won't appreciate Christmas for what it is as it becomes much less fresh and thought-provoking."

Malcolm Pinkerton, from retail analysts Verdict, said: "I think consumers are still hoping the summer hasn't gone."

But supermarket bosses claim that they are only responding to consumer demand.