I went to The Range today and it was empty - but still had many pallets of undisplayed xmas stock

[Unthinkable8]

I expect there'll be massive sales after christmas this year. I was in The Range today and I expected it to be busy but it was like a ghost town. Most of their christmas stock was still on the shelves, row after row of it. And in addition, there was at least 6 whole pallets of extra christmas stock in the centre area that hadn't even been put out yet. Next door in Matalan, they'd sold nearly all their xmas stuff. Funny isn't it? I wonder what they'll do with it all?

Keep it until next year I reckon. Home bargains is the same stuff as last year

I thought today that many shops seem different this year. Looking for christmas chocolates, I went in about three shops and Iceland, Wilko and Tesco had hardly anything left (ok Tesco had a fair amount still but lots of gaps and no chocolate oranges). Wilko was half empty - not just the chocolate shelves but half the store was just bare aisles.

I don't know if stores have underordered this year or what, but something strange seems to be going on. I've also noticed that for a few weeks now, most stores have their christmas cards etc at half price or less. Usually, they're not reduced until after Christmas.

I went in The Range last year, having not been in all year. It felt quite chaotic. Selling all kinds of everything, including an Iceland within now. Queues long, staff didn't have a clue and prices were not the same as what it said on the shelves.
Our Wilko was a shambles too, it was like they couldn't be bothered. No nice Christmas displays, just random stuff in random places - loads of storage boxes and garden stuff as you walked in. Nothing new or nice.

Aldi was quiet this afternoon

Hopefully, if people are not spending stupid amounts of money this Christmas the BOE will not have to increase interest rates any further and inflation will slow down

I saw Cadbury’s mini eggs on sale in the coop today. Easter has officially started.

They've put it all away already in my local range! I went the other day to look what they had and they were boxing it all up for next year I presume

Also seconding the weird pricing at the range! Picked up loads of things when I went a few weeks ago and none of it was priced and no price on the shelf either, and the staff didn't have a clue either

My husband used to work at The Range. I read him the OP and he said 'It's not just Christmas, they do that all year round, no idea why but it makes life very hard for the cleaner.'

Glad it's not just my local Range then. I've stopped going cos the amount of times nothing has a price on and staff are useless when you ask them. Not to mention the lift to get upstairs to where all the kids stuff, craft and some home wares is has been out of order for nearly a year makes it the worst shop in my local area. I wouldn't be surprised that Xmas stock has t sold if that's owt to go buy

My Tesco (not an ‘extra’ but a standard size one in a moderate town) was appalling today.

literally no milk - they’d removed the cages as they were all empty. No potatoes. No coleslaw. No dips. Cheeses depleted to a small choice. No cucumber, no berries, grapes, salad bags. Gave up and drove to the next town which has a Morrisons (also very small) but they had a decent amount left.

lots of turkey, beef etc. though.

the range does Recycle it’s things - I got a reindeer thing 2/3 years ago and always thought I should have got a pair. This year they were selling the exact same ones.

The Range is such a strange shop. It could be fab but instead it always feels chaotic.

There’s a shortage of delivery drivers affecting some companies. Where I work (1 reason) we’ve been losing sales is because of pallets of our stock being stuck at DPD depots, meaning big gaps on our shelves. It’s been an absolute shitshow 🤷‍♀️

It's good for picture frames but seems like a horrible place to work and never enough staff on the tills.

I've noticed shops haven't put up many Christmas decorations this year. It all feels very flat and lethargic. In my town the multi storey car park usually has a massive 'Merry Christmas' sign above the entrance but it's not there this year 🤔

It's almost as though they're downplaying it, but I don't know why.

I went in our local co-op yesterday (it's a big one with electricals and a pharmacy etc) and the Christmas aisle they had at the back had just...gone? It was a massive wall of clear plastic storage boxes instead. Bizarre.

Probably making room for the valentines day mothers day and easter stuff.

No!!! They're not supposed to put them out until Boxing Day

I went into B&M yesterday and they were boxing so the Christmas stuff up to put away

I need to know if you ended up getting the other one to match? Pleaseee

It’s funny how different places end up with different things. Here where I am they have to put a sign up in the range to say ‘if u see it but it now or it will be gone ‘
Our The Range is always nearly sold out of Xmas stick by the middle of December and everyone knows u get it quick or it won’t be there !

Shops are very weird. I went into Primark today, fully expecting to walk back out again because it was too busy but it was really, really quiet. It was quieter than an average Saturday.

I've not really seen a huge amoumt of Christmas stuff in shops really eieither. Just all a bit flat. I'd never have guessed it was Christmas eve tomorrow.

Well, you're not selling these shops to me, ladies!
Has anywhere been busy & Christmassy?

@meandmytwoboos naturally!!

I now have two, pointless, emerald green flocked reindeer (barbie sized, if barbie were to own a reindeer) flanking my mantle clock.

reindeer one seems to have perked up slightly since reindeer 2 arrived. I feel vindicated.

The Range would sell more craft stuff we to me if everything was priced. Even if I really need it want it I never put it in my trolley if it doesn't have a price on it.

Asda have already reduced all their Christmas stock too