Get ready, Christmas is almost here. Yes, really. No sooner have the barbecues, pop-up tents and water pistols been consigned to the shed, then retailers’ minds shift towards Christmas.

Get ready, Christmas is almost here. Yes, really. No sooner have the barbecues, pop-up tents and water pistols been consigned to the shed, then retailers’ minds shift towards Christmas.

Those in the US have already had to suffer their first Christmas advert of the year courtesy of Kmart last week, 106 days before the tubby man in red descends our chimneys. Apparently last year the retailer aired its Christmas ad towards the end of October so, rather than representing ‘Christmas creep’, it is a bold leap forward.

In the UK we seem to be slightly luckier, although a trip to any large store might make you think again. My local supermarket started stocking Santa-themed chocolates a few weeks ago, prompting an instantaneous, and almost uncontrollable, wave of excitement from my children.

There has also been a flurry of announcements from retailers about how they are positioning themselves so that this Christmas will be their best ever.

Amazon is taking on an extra 15,000 staff (up from 10,000 a year ago) across its UK distribution network in order to ensure deliveries arrive on time.

Toys R Us and Hamleys say the hot toys will be Furbys (again), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures (again) and Robo Fish (no idea).

Meanwhile, eBay (the site people rush to after Christmas to flog unwanted onesies and toastie makers) and Argos
have teamed up to give consumers the option of collecting selected eBay orders in Argos’ high street stores.

Clearly targeting shoppers in the run-up to Christmas, Tesco has unveiled its own tablet computer. The Hudl is designed to steer shoppers away from similar models being offered by the likes of Google and Amazon.

Like Amazon’s Kindle Fire range, the Hudl will ensure that Tesco’s content and products are within easy reach thanks to the inclusion of a handy quick launcher.

Let’s hope Tesco has more luck than Next did with its tablet a few years ago.

So, whack up the heating, roll out the wrapping paper and get ready for three months of festive fun.

  • Rob Gregory, Global research director, Planet Retail