Retailers may be doing customers a favor with early jump on holiday sales
Indiana UniversityBLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It isn't even Halloween, and some retailers already are putting out Christmas merchandise and promoting gift buying. Manufacturers and retailers often put out cards for Valentine's Day, chocolate eggs for Easter and a plethora of pumpkin-spiced treats ahead of Halloween and Thanksgiving many weeks ahead of the holidays. But it's not just about getting a jump on holiday shopping for retailers. Advance sales of seasonal items also benefit consumers with reduced retail prices, according to new research from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.