Stores stocking up for Christmas shoppers - Readers' poll
Here's a thought to send a chill down the spines – the shops are starting to stock shelves ready for Christmas.
It shouldn't be a surprise. After all, there are just 101 days until the big day.
A week after the back-to-school bulk buying of uniforms and pencil cases, supermarket aisles are now snowed under with selection boxes and Christmas puddings.
It even comes before broomsticks fly into stores to perch next to piles of pumpkins ready to be carved for Halloween and fireworks see autumn off with a bang.
Christmas confectionery is first to hit the shops with trees, tinsel and turkey is soon to follow as the dark nights draw in and the season of goodwill is upon us.
Sweet treats are already stacked on the shelves of Sainsbury's stores across Shropshire.
Angie Walshaw, a manager at the Meole Brace store in Shrewsbury, said: "We've got all the chocolates and gifts on health and beauty like toiletry sets and perfume.
"Advent calendars and decorations are due on October 2.
"Some customers moan when they start to see Christmas stuff in when they haven't had Halloween yet. But we have to get the stock in because we have a sell-through time and it takes a lot of work to get it on the shelves and get the displays right.
"It all has to be done to strict deadlines. "There are also a lot of people who like to plan ahead instead of leaving it until the last minute.
"The people who leave it the latest have less choice as it starts to sell out.
"As soon as the displays go up it does start to fly off the shelves.
"There's normally some really good offers and ideas on gifts like pyjamas and slipper sets, perfume, kids' toys and stocking fillers."
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Gemma Wilde, a manager at Tesco on the Wrekin Retail Park in Wellington, said: "We've got an aisle and half of confectionery like Christmas puddings, selection boxes and tins of chocolates.
"The next phase will be Christmas cards and wrapping paper which will follow in November.
"I think most people like to budget, so being able to buy the chocolates and stocking fillers which will keep helps them."
And at Hough & Sons butchers, on Beaumont Road in Church Stretton, orders for turkeys are already coming in.
Shop manager Terry Davies said: "Our turkeys are barn-reared on the farm and pre-ordered from the shop and we already have names on the waiting list. Some people put their name down straight after last Christmas."
For those who are letting someone else do the cooking and washing up, bookings for the festive feast are being made far in advance.
Grant Lees, operations director at the Peach Tree Restaurant in Shrewsbury said: "It's set to be our biggest year to date – some dates are already fully booked.
"People are really excited for the festive season – many of them re-book straight after last year's."
Shropshire shoppers had their say on whether they welcomed the festive flurry or if September was too soon.
Emily Green, 30, of Shifnal, who works in logistics at Hewlett Packard, said: "I quite like to see all the stuff in the shops, but I love Christmas.
"I am just trying not to start buying. Although I do know some people who do all their Christmas shopping in the January sales.
"I will probably start doing my Christmas shopping next week."
Another woman who did not wish to be named said: "I think it's too early.
"It buries the religious side, people are focusing too much on the commercial side and not the true meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus' birthday."
