Nordstrom Resists Christmas Creep
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Long before Thanksgiving, many retail stores and shopping malls had their Christmas holiday decorations up.
"It used to be after Thanksgiving but now it's weeks before," says Larry Boardley of Washington. "Here we are, Christmas lights are up, Christmas trees are out. It's a little early for me."
Many shoppers say they have gotten used to the earlier start, often driven by retailers' desire to boost sales.
"They realized the sooner they get your shoppers shopping, the sooner your bottom line looks a little better," adds David Dixon of North Braddock.
"It is early. I agree that it's a little too early maybe, but it doesn't bother me," says Sonja Hobbs of Washington.
It's not just the beautiful decorations that go up early.
One clear sign of the Christmas season is the arrival of Santa Claus. At most homes, that's Christmas Eve. But not out at the shopping malls. Here Santa arrives on Veterans Day.
But one major retailer has never abandoned the old tradition.
"We believe in celebrating one holiday at a time," Nordstrom's spokesman Colin Johnson told KDKA Money Editor Jon Delano.
At Nordstrom's stores, signs will be posted next week, explaining why they don't rush Christmas.
"We've had a long-standing tradition of waiting until after Thanksgiving to unveil the holiday decorations at our stores," says Johnson.
"If that's what they want to do, that's fine and I think everybody would be okay with that," says Linda Rost of Crafton.
Nordstrom says it's not criticizing any other retailer, they just think it's right to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving first.
"We just want to do it during the right time and for us it's made the most sense over the years to wait until after Thanksgiving to unveil the holiday decorations," says Johnson.
"I agree with that. Let one holiday come first, then jump into the next one," adds Larry Boardley.
RELATED LINKS
Nordstrom
More Business News
