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RETAIL EXCELLENCE IRELAND has warned that Christmas shoppers should not leave all of their purchases until the last minute as retailers are concerned about stock shortages leading into the final festive weekend.
Stores are worried that they will run out of certain “hot” products before Christmas.
There has been a surge in sales of consumer electronics such as e-Readers with some retailers reporting a 1000 per cent increase in demand for tablets. iPad Minis have already run out and mid-range smart phones from €99 to €150 are in short supply.
Popular toys that are flying off the shelves include:
Console games such as Call of Duty and the new Wii U console are also in high demand and short supply.
Downton Abbey and Love/Hate fans might want to get moving as retailers say box sets may prove difficult to buy approaching the final weekend before Christmas.
Do you have any suggestions for stores which still stock the most coveted items right up until Christmas? Let us know in the comments section below.
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I have a slight advantage.
My little boy is only a few months old. He won’t have a clue about Christmas and we can’t really explain it to him.
So we just won’t tell him.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Where are you going with this O’Keeffe?
Steady Tiger, just joking. But you are proving my point…
…haven’t a clue…needing things explained…penny drop?
I just wondered whether you were pointing your petty ad hominem remarks at me, or at my infant child as well.
How low do you go?
Cmon now Damocles take a much fake offence as you wish. Why on gods green earth would anyone insult a child.
You however, are a big boy and are pretty handy with the comments yourself.
But again, pretend to be offended as much as you like
I can take a few well aimed swipes, and I’ve had far worse swipes made in my direction by far better people, far better than you O’Keeffe. But your comment reads like “You’re dim and your kid’s dim too.” and that pushes the bounds of common decency. You leave alone your adversary’s spouse and family. Otherwise you’re pushing it. But you just pretend it’s just a joke and jape. You’ve shown your colours clearly.
If I genuinely offended you I apologise.
I have 2 children and they are all helpless at that age. But you know what I meant.
Oh, and by the way I’m not your “adversary”.
Dial back on the drama.
O’Keeffe, “Adversary” is an English word meaning “opponent”, in any context, be it a game, a physical bout or simply a verbal or written bout.
O’cles thank you. I consider myself lucky to have been schooled by an intellectual giant like yourself.
Anyone looking to get a kindle fire through Amazon UK, don’t despair that they won’t deliver to ROI, go to parcelmotel.com and use their Northern Ireland shipping address. Then they’ll deliver it to whatever depot you’re living near here in the South. This isn’t an advertisement btw, just that I thought it was a great way to get around the ‘doesn’t deliver to Ireland’ thing. Ordered mine last Thursday, arrived in my local depot this morning!!
Excellent tip. Thanks
Isn’t there a problem though with downloading apps and other content in Ireland with the Kindle fire?
I got one and found it complicated and slow to use. Restrictions for Irish customers. Also the exchange rate brought the price up. I think the iPad mini or google tablet are better value. I sent the kindle fire back.
There are however a plethora of tablets available online and much cheaper than Apple.
Totally agree. Got an android tablet online very reasonably priced
And it will last about 4 days, and might not get the latest software upgrade. You get what you pay for people.
Agree martin, got one of amazon, had to send it back. It nearly blew up on us. Nexsus 7 is great though.. :)
Great to hear good things about the Nexus 7 – Santa is bringing one to my 7 year old :)
A 7 year old? Will he even know what to do with it??
Eh yea? Much better than her 37 year old Dad :) Do you know many 7 year olds?
The Nexus 7 is a brilliant tablet. You won’t be dissapointed….
Got a good deal on it too so happy days :)
I purchased a Nexus 7 in July (in the US). I think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I only wish it had another camera pointing out the back (away from me), but that’s trivial. I have no regret purchasing it and use it every day.
I just moved to Ireland from the US, and am noticing a lot of companies won’t ship to ROI. Why is that?
Just a cleverer way for retailers to say, “Buy, buy, buy!” If you don’t already have enough crap in your life, you’d better get out there folks!
exactly…feed the landfill and your personal debt!
My youngest lad is 8 years old. This is the first time in many years I don’t have to visit the likes of Smyths etc.
Sad in a strange sort of way :(
All teenagers here no made rush for the in thing…..just not the same when you have no believers….
It’s not the end of the world, there’s other stuff that can be bought!
It will be on 21/12 – so no need to buy anything.
Shortage of lego..nearly sure thats one of the signs of the apocolypse.
Damn Chinese, robbing our lego and the Americans ready to go…………after them!
Maybe we should visit loan sharks or steal so this year’s economic figures will show improvement. Shame on you journal for printing this kind of article. Christmas is supposed to make us better people not just bigger consumers.
Quite surprised at the value of presents being bought for kids. A nexus 7 is 250 eur. I have one myself and it is v handy but more suitable for an adult I would have thought. Kids are v spoilt.
Kids are kids once, if you can spoil them!
Santa is magical, enjoy it while it lasts.
Foot spa?
I thought we were sorted until my 5 yr old and I were doing her Santa letter last night and top of the list was a Monster High create a monster lab thing. I was like wtf, then I vaguely remembered her talking about it in November. She is certain Santa is bringing it. So my husband and I have spent all day looking for it , of course it is one of the ones that was on the Late Late toy show so it’s really difficult to get. We have found it eventually in Banba Toymaster in town, they’ve 16 left so my poor husband has gone back into town to buy one before they close at 7. Pesky kids ;)
Glad you managed to hunt down the ‘prize’, but I’d chalk this one down to experience! Make kids choose their items prior to December 1st, write their letters and inform them that once they’re written, there’s no changing their choice. Always get this done *waaaay* before the Toy Show. Gives you plenty of time to ask Santa if he’s got any potentially obscure stuff, or indeed, if it can be sourced locally, or on t’internet…
Anybody gets into any financial trouble overstretching themselves for Christmas, DO NOT use a Loan Shark or Money-Lender (Licenced or Unlicenced). They’re nowt but leeches! I work for the SVDP in Carlow & amt. of Clients with Provident Loans is outrageous. Borrow €500 & pay back €650!? Surely approach your’ Local Credit Union? Or swallow your’ pride & approach your’ Local SVDP. A hand up, a help out.
im sure its borrow 500 pay back 760 :(
My house is going to look like monster high exploded in here!
LJ it’s a foot spa for little girls filled with
1500 tiny balls! It’s on my ones list. Thankfully I bought it in November!
Anyone looking for the love hate 1-3 box set its released on the 17th and I’d recommend you get in and pre order a copy cos they’ll be fairly limited this side of Christmas. I haven’t seen so many pre orders for an item in years
I thought you meant panadol tablets!! Phew…
Well they would say that wouldn’t they?
I need help find Bucky from Jake & the neverland pirates!!!!
Amy we ordered on from Disney online. Cheaper thank Smyths & arrived in 5 days
Great! Think of the money you will all save!?!?
Baa humbug!
Just before you rush to buy items that are going to be rubbish by Christmas in two years, take some time to watch The Light Bulb Conspiracy…
http://vimeo.com/41567964
Happy xmas!
Where can I get a WWE Brawling Buddy? None left in shops in Ireland or Uk? The price of postage from USA is approx £28 !!!!! And delivery within 4-6 weeks so not much good for Santa!
Rhona did you try Banba Toymaster?
have your say