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Updated at 11pm
WE’RE STILL WEARING our shades and enjoying the last bit of the summer sun (well, what we had of it, anyway) but Christmas has hit the high street.
Despite there being 126 days until Santa pays a visit to us all, it’s Christmas time in Brown Thomas.
Today the high-end retailer launched its Christmas market at its stores in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
The question everyone is asking – why so early?
“It’s the same question everyone asks, but we open at the same time every year and it is really because of customer demand,” explained Brown Thomas’ Seasonal Homeware Buyer Edel Woods.
We have customers shopping really early, interior designers, hotel groups and tourists picking up things.
She explained that some customers get in touch asking when Christmas stock will be arriving in store.
There are customers who absolutely love Christmas and are in store for the first pick.If you want to get the best products you have to get in early.
‘Would you come off it,’ you might hear some people say, but apparently there are some people who just can’t wait for Christmas.
“On Monday morning when we were setting up and items weren’t actually for sale yet, a lady bought two of our giant nut crackers, so we have already sold items already, pre-opening, as customers are that interested,” said Woods.
While Selfridges in London has a bauble priced at £210, you won’t find anything like that in Brown Thomas.
We don’t have a bauble, but we do have a giant nutcracker at €220 and a musical Christmas globe that retails for €175 – there are a few wow stand-out pieces that will be of interest to some people.
Glancing around the store there are items from €3 upwards.
“There is a perception that we are going to be expensive but we are really competitively priced and we believe some of our Christmas trees are some of the best on the market and are really keenly priced,” said Edel.
If you are so inclined that you want to show off where you got you Christmas decorations this year, the store has introduced some Brown Thomas branded decorations that you can hang from your tree.
Two shoppers who wandered into the Christmas themed area of the store told TheJournal.ie that while it may be a little early, it was “just a bit of fun”.
“No one is forcing anyone to come in here, if you don’t want to see Christmas stuff, just don’t come in,” she said.
“I think it is actually really tastefully done. I’m actually getting a few ideas from it,” said another shopper.
If you are going have a gander in store, don’t fear, there is no Christmas music to be heard. That would probably just push people over the edge.
Christmas music will only be played in store nearer the time, most likely after Halloween, explained Woods.
Phew.
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I love Christmas but even I think this is ridiculous! We need Halloween first at least!
Fantastic marketing idea. Be the first store to open their Christmas range and get everyone talking about it!
True. The only better one might be going way late and not having any christmas stuff until the 22nd of December.
I can’t wait to spot those women around Christmas who put their Penny’s bags in a Brown Thomas one.Always gives me a good laugh.
I wonder where the vagina sisters put their bags. [ I must try not to be so rude in future but the devil makes me say things like this.]
Huh?
http://www.thejournal.ie/vagina-kidney-transplant-2281190-Aug2015/ Just think of the possibilities ;-)
Yeah cause us guys never try to appear more than we are.
That’s not rude that’s just sick man.haha
I never said that dave,just pointing out an observation. Lighten up,it’s the season to be jolly after all. Care some egg nog? I just made a fresh batch.
I was grinning when I wrote it Sonny, so no lightening up needed!
Sonny, I wasn’t the one who started this, it was the journal item on some doctor meddling with two ladies anginas, I wonder what they will get up to next?
Egg nog? FFS
They can go F themselves..
What difference does it make to anything ever? Are you forced to buy stuff you see?
No, but starting a season 3 months before it starts to maximize profits and fool people into spending money is quite disgusting.
So you’re offended on behalf of fools?
Offended??
“They can go F themselves” – yeah, you sound perfectly calm about it.
Worked in BT. Grand place to work. Xmas shop always had lots of footfall. Not too many guys buying so you can guess the target market.
yay!
That’s it. I’m going home to put up the Christmas tree.
Should be illegal, we may as well throw up the Christmas market too for the craic.
Yeah, I hate when shops stock something I don’t need.
Illegal??? Bit of an overreaction maybe?
I’m more concerned with the employees who have to deal with looking at Santa for the next 5 months.
4 months, Steve. And it’s their job. And it also happens every year so they’re probably not surprised by it like everyone else seems to be.
they are leaving it late
Thanks journal, now I’ve got to make my way into town on lunch to get Christmas selfies in BTs. no no. it’s fine I’m going, but I’ve enough for doing I tell ya
FFS…
I wonder have they got garlands lol…
ludicrous !!
Love love love love it… as they say nobody is being forced into it an they’re getting a media frenzy going. If tat wasn’t their people be none the wiser… Universal Orlando have a Christmas Shop open all year round. Yes I have bought Xmas decorations on my summer holidays and I had no problem in doing so the shop was on another level I was ages in it…. calm down people.. nobody is making u celebrate Xmas, Also I like the fact if ur changing ur whole colour scheme of ur tree an decor u buy bit by bit instead if having to splurge in one go!
Won’t be bringing the kids anywhere near that place for next few months.. They’ll be writing their Santa lists before they even go out the door.
People should make a point of staying away from brown thomas at christmas for this carry on!! Bunch of spastics.
go an ask my B@llox
Both of them, do they talk to you…. creepy.
spend spend spend sheeple!!!!!
OMG…
I wonder if they have garland lol…
Well did you find out yet?
Nah, its too too early…
Oh Gawd, I hope I did not trigger this event as just the other day here on the journal I asked Larissa Caroline if I was back on her Christmas Card list. The shock of it is all too much.
Christmas presents? get with the times Brown Thomas..I’m selling Easter Eggs lads! never too early
A Doubting Thomas lol.
The same story comes around every year. Those who are shocked or feign being shocked must be living in a cave
Way too early
NO NO NO !
Enough already…BT- buy from us even if you can get it way less in Pennys…
well East Coast FM played Maria Careys All I Want For Christmas off the back of the shop opening, sure may as well have the Turkey & Ham tonight.
Just boycott it!
Greedy animals.
Oh p*ss right off!
feckers should be boycotted.
Never knew Christmas was as serious as talking about TEA…
Do I want to see? That would be a big fat NO!
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