Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Nov 27/00) - With Christmas less than a month away, store bells are ringing and cash drawers are filling.
The crazed-consumer holiday shopping frenzy is again being re-created by retailers across the territory, all in the name of gift giving.
Several weeks have passed since stores unpacked their festive wares, setting up elaborate displays that force even the most sceptical of shoppers to take note of the approaching holiday season.
"We decided to go into full-swing as soon as Halloween was over because you put so much work into getting ready and then it's over before you know it," said Brett Foley, who works at Baffin Flower Studio in Iqaluit.
"Saturdays have been really busy with people coming in to buy stocking stuffers -- there are even people who tell us they already have all of their Christmas shopping done."
The other reason for pushing Christmas early is to provide the spirit and stock for those wanting to send gifts south, said Foley.
For retailers in the communities, however, planning for the Christmas season is almost a year-long event for different reasons.
"When we plan our sealift orders we definitely take Christmas into consideration and that happens in early spring," said the interim manager at the Hall Beach Co-op, Daniel Reid.
"We get a lot of toys in that we keep in the back until now and we order extra baking ingredients, candy, turkeys -- Christmas things."
Reid's store is now decked out in full-holiday regalia with blinking, coloured lights, artificial trees, decorations and shelves laden with gift ideas.
"And in December we order in mandarin oranges and other perishable goods for the holidays. Sales are picking up and soon it will be full-steam ahead," he said.
Jewellers, carvers and artists also reap the rewards of eager customers. Hawking their wares in public gets easier and if they are lucky enough to secure tables at holiday craft fairs. People spend hours in line for the chance to buy reasonably priced and often handmade goods.
The upside for retailers selling at Christmas fairs? Enjoying a quiet Boxing Day as part two of the consumer frenzy begins, exchanging gifts.
