Early Christmas launch pays off

SALES of Christmas decorations at Housing Units — which launched its 2010 festive department 106 days before Santa is due — have exceeded the same period in 2009.

One super-enthusiastic shopper was so taken by the occasion that she spent more than £4,000 on decorations.

The department has 3,500 sq ft of floor space dedicated to Christmas trees, decorations and accessories, with seven ready-made decoration themes.

“People seem to want a really grand Christmas this year,” said Nick Fox, a director at the Wickentree Lane store in Hollinwood. “In every sense of the word, with many families turning the decoration of the house into an event in its own right — by starting Christmas so early we have clearly helped both the consumer and the economy.

“While one customer spent £4,000 in one visit, it’s clear now that customers like the idea of being able to spread the cost of decorations, with many shoppers making return visits.

“Families are following the North American trend of making Christmas a much bigger and more decorative event in any case — so they’re actually spending more and spreading the cost.”