Early Christmas Shopping Trends Linked to Presidential Election

The upcoming presidential election is causing a ripple effect in the retail world, with Christmas shopping starting earlier than ever this year. Retailers are gearing up for a potentially slow November by offering deals and promotions well before most Americans head to the polls in the midst of the holiday season.

According to George Mason University associate professor Mehmet Altug, the uncertainty surrounding the election results may be a driving force behind the early holiday shopping push. Stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Hobby Lobby are already decked out in Christmas decorations, with more merchandise available online.

Lowe’s has already launched its holiday décor online in July, a month earlier than last year. Amazon has announced its “Prime Big Deal Days” sale for October, which is expected to prompt competitors to start their own early holiday sales.

Halloween sales are also starting early this year, with Home Depot unveiling its 2024 Halloween collection in March and launching it online in July. The Bankrate survey found that 48% of holiday shoppers will begin shopping in August, September, or October.

Retail analyst Natalie Kotlyar believes that the extended holiday shopping season will benefit consumers by giving them more time to find the best deals. With five fewer days between Black Friday and Christmas Day this year, shoppers can expect to see more promotions earlier.

Overall, the early holiday shopping trend is expected to continue, with retailers stocking up earlier and offering greater inventory shipments to cater to early shoppers. Stay tuned for more holiday deals and promotions as the season ramps up.