You already see them popping up - those inflatable Santas and Snowmen. Today, we live in a nation that's out of control when it comes to decorating for the holidays and that's wonderful news for retailers.
According to a survey conducted by America's Research Group, consumers who plan to spend between $101 and $250 to decorate their homes for Christmas jumped from 6.5 percent in 2005 to 18.3 percent this year. Those who intend to spend $251 to $350 increased from 1.7 percent in 2005 to 4.9 percent this year.
Britt Beemer, chairman of the research firm, explained the increase to The Associated Press. "This year, you're seeing a lot more people entertaining in their homes, which is pushing up the number of people buying more expensive decorations," he said.
Many retailers have jumped on the opportunity to sell more Christmas decorations.
Home Depot has doubled the floor space for holiday decorations and increased its stock of product more than four times over what it carried last year.
Among the most popular items this year is inflatable décor. Home Depot is selling a 60-inch inflatable Santa on a motorcycle for $80. It is also moving a lot of 96-inch inflatable carousels at $170.
Novelty trees, such as an upside-down artificial tree sold at Home Depot, Target and elsewhere are popular, as well.
Discussion Quest ions: What do you make of the increased spending on holiday decorations? How are (should) retailers with limited space, such as supermarkets and drugstores, approaching in-store display and merchandising of holiday decorations this year versus those in the past?