Festive bells ring early | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

With 10 weeks to go until Christmas, Wairarapa retailers are already stocking their stores with festive decorations - but how early is too early to start selling Christmas stock?

Masterton Farmers store manager Lisa Parker said Christmas decorations would be completed on Friday - marked with Santa's appearance in store.

The self-confessed Christmas enthusiast said this was the same time the store started selling its decorations each year.

She said she would put her own tree up at the beginning of December.

Other shops have also put Christmas stock on display but Carter's Linen owner Sue Bankier said she wasn't selling decorations yet, as it was a bit early. But she planned to start next month.

"Once my window [display] is in there, that's it for the next two months," she said.

Some shoppers also weren't so sure if it was yet the season to be jolly.

Masterton's Phoebe Noble, 14, said it was really early to be selling decorations because "it seems Christmas is ages away".

Her friend 15-year-old Sophie George said it's fine because "it's gotta start somewhere".

Dulcie McLean, of Masterton, said it was far too early.

"The meaning of it has worn off by the time Christmas comes," she said.

England's Steven Alexander said it was not too early, and people should buy them when they want.

"Some people like to be prepared," he said.

New Zealand Retailers Association chief executive officer John Albertson said it was "quite early" for retailers to start putting together their Christmas displays.

He said most generally started preparing their store for the "silly season" after Labour weekend or in early November.

"The more we spread Christmas shopping, the more attention we can give our customers," he said.

Mr Albertson said this year was "peculiar" with the Rugby World Cup and the general election.

"All those things add to the confusion of the market place, so I can understand why they've gone early," he said. "There's so much external stuff going to be able to create some image around Christmas is important."

He said it was normal for Christmas stock to start arriving now. "It is a very important time of year for retailers."