For retailers, the countdown to Christmas starts in August

“Winter is Coming.” To echo the inescapable tagline from the hit TV show Game of Thrones which returned this month, we’re given a stark reminder that the festive season is never far away. With only 22 weeks until Christmas, it won’t be long until we see festive paraphernalia and gifts popping up in stores.
A common parlance is that Christmas comes earlier each year – meaning that retailers need to start planning now. Retail dates such as Black Friday and Cyber Monda