C2 The Ever-earlier start of Christmas shopping

Drag and Drop

Warm up

Match the percentages to the statements below.

Consumers who begin Christmas shopping before December.

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

34%

60%

62%

73%

Drag and Drop

Holiday purchases that are researched beforehand.

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

34%

60%

62%

73%

Drag and Drop

Shoppers who buy gifts in the week before Christmas.

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

34%

60%

62%

73%

Drag and Drop

​ People facing financial distress going into the holiday season.

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

34%

60%

62%

73%

Multiple Choice

2. Vocabulary
   Match the words and phrases underlined with their correct definitions.

3. After hours of searching, she found only a modicum of evidence to support her theory.

• 1. adorned with decorations or embellishments, often in a festive manner

• 1. a dilemma where one’s choices are limited, and each option has negative consequences

• 1. decreasing or declining, especially in size, brightness, or influence

• 1. a small or limited amount of something

Multiple Choice

1. Caught in a catch-22 situation, she couldn’t travel without a passport, but the passport office was on the other side of town.

• 1. adorned with decorations or embellishments, often in a festive manner

• 1. a dilemma where one’s choices are limited, and each option has negative consequences

• 1. decreasing or declining, especially in size, brightness, or influence

• 1. a small or limited amount of something

Multiple Choice

1. The waning interest in the old technology led to its eventual obsolescence in the market.

• 1. adorned with decorations or embellishments, often in a festive manner

• 1. a dilemma where one’s choices are limited, and each option has negative consequences

• 1. decreasing or declining, especially in size, brightness, or influence

• 1. a small or limited amount of something

Multiple Choice

1. The room was festooned with colourful decorations, giving it a cheerful atmosphere.

• 1. adorned with decorations or embellishments, often in a festive manner

• 1. a dilemma where one’s choices are limited, and each option has negative consequences

• 1. decreasing or declining, especially in size, brightness, or influence

• 1. a small or limited amount of something

Multiple Choice

1. For those who practise delayed gratification, the rewards are often more satisfying.

• 1. the highest point or peak of success, achievement, or a celestial object’s path

• 1. willingly postponing immediate rewards for greater long-term benefits

• 1. mournful, dismal, or sorrowful in a way that evokes sadness

• 1. firmly established or deeply rooted, often referring to emotions, beliefs, or fears

Multiple Choice

He reached the zenith of his career, achieving unparalleled success.

• 1. the highest point or peak of success, achievement, or a celestial object’s path

• 1. willingly postponing immediate rewards for greater long-term benefits

• 1. mournful, dismal, or sorrowful in a way that evokes sadness

• 1. firmly established or deeply rooted, often referring to emotions, beliefs, or fears

Multiple Choice

Their deep-seated fear of heights made climbing the mountain a daunting challenge.

• 1. the highest point or peak of success, achievement, or a celestial object’s path

• 1. willingly postponing immediate rewards for greater long-term benefits

• 1. mournful, dismal, or sorrowful in a way that evokes sadness

• 1. firmly established or deeply rooted, often referring to emotions, beliefs, or fears

Multiple Choice

The lugubrious atmosphere in the room turned even more sombre as the sad news was delivered.

• 1. the highest point or peak of success, achievement, or a celestial object’s path

• 1. willingly postponing immediate rewards for greater long-term benefits

• 1. mournful, dismal, or sorrowful in a way that evokes sadness

• 1. firmly established or deeply rooted, often referring to emotions, beliefs, or fears

Open Ended

2. Listening for gist
   Listen to the following interviews with Mike, Samantha, Daniel and Julie about the early onset of Christmas shopping and answer the following questions.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the interviewees believes that patience is a virtue?

• Mike

• Samantha

• Daniel

• Julie

Multiple Choice

Who misses the emotions they used to feel when they were younger?

• Mike

• Samantha

• Daniel

• Julie

Multiple Choice

Who thinks that early Christmas shopping can be a source of positivity?

• Mike

• Samantha

• Daniel

• Julie

Multiple Choice

Who believes that there can be financial benefits to starting shopping earlier?

• Mike

• Samantha

• Daniel

• Julie

Open Ended

4. Listening comprehension
   Listen to the audio again and complete the following sentences with ONE word.

​Reading for general understanding

Scan the text and match the headings with the correct A-D paragraph.

Multiple Choice

The Christmas creep

Early sales strategies and consumer behaviour

1: Nowadays, candy canes, chocolate Santas, and advent calendars go on sale as soon as Halloween is over, sometimes earlier. This ’Christmas creep’ is starting sooner and sooner. In 2023 alone, the National Retail Federation (NRF) expects shoppers will spend around $900 (£743) each on purchases for Christmas and other end-of-year festivities. As retailers of all stripes compete for holiday-season sales, one of the easiest ways to rake in profits amid the cacophony of their rivals’ advertising, promotions, and sales is to start selling a little earlier. "When one retailer starts selling Christmas produce early, then the others follow suit to remain competitive," says Jason Dubroy, an independent retail analyst, "because nobody wants to lose customer visits to people that are offering holiday goods in advance."

• 1. Consumers favour early market entrants despite voicing complaints

• 1. Early holiday shopping eases budgeting and reduces stress

• 1. Competitive pressure drives retailers to launch early Christmas sales

• 1. Future holiday shopping set to begin even earlier

Multiple Choice

2: And as much as some shoppers complain about hearing "All I want for Christmas" when Halloween decorations are still up, experts and data suggest the tactic works. "People have said to me that Christmas things have been in some shops since September," says Isabelle Szmigin, professor of marketing at the University of Birmingham. Unlike the latest hot toy, holiday candy is inexpensive, even during a period of high inflation and steep interest rates, and Dubroy says many people may be stocking up on treats in lieu of pricier buys this year. Being the first to announce a product gives retailers a huge competitive advantage, since consumers tend to prefer the first mover in the market.

• 1. Consumers favour early market entrants despite voicing complaints

• 1. Early holiday shopping eases budgeting and reduces stress

• 1. Competitive pressure drives retailers to launch early Christmas sales

• 1. Future holiday shopping set to begin even earlier

Multiple Choice

3: Phil Rist, executive vice-president of strategy at research firm Prosper, says in an NRF statement that an early start lets shoppers spread their budget throughout several months rather than spending all at once, avoid the stress of last-minute shopping, and steer clear of the hordes of late shoppers. As many as 70% of shoppers are considering October sales to pick up holiday gifts, decorations, and other items on their list. Dubroy says businesses negotiate deals with confectioners for candy anywhere from six months to a year in advance. Ordering in bulk to a warehouse, then shipping it out in increments to stores between November and Christmas, is an efficient way of ensuring a steady stream of sugary treats.

• 1. Consumers favour early market entrants despite voicing complaints

• 1. Early holiday shopping eases budgeting and reduces stress

• 1. Competitive pressure drives retailers to launch early Christmas sales

• 1. Future holiday shopping set to begin even earlier

Multiple Choice

4: Because of how saturated holiday sales are around the holidays, the only real way to outmanoeuvre the competition is to keep pushing the holiday season back earlier and earlier. Deborah Weinswig, founder and CEO of New York-based Coresight Research, believes the holiday shopping season could turn into a three- month window in the future. "I expect it to be pulled forward as early as the beginning of October," she says. This would not only help retailers better control their supply chains, but also ensure goods are in front of shoppers early enough for them to make an informed decision about what to buy for the holidays.

• 1. Consumers favour early market entrants despite voicing complaints

• 1. Early holiday shopping eases budgeting and reduces stress

• 1. Competitive pressure drives retailers to launch early Christmas sales

• 1. Future holiday shopping set to begin even earlier

Talking Point

1. Is there a cultural shift towards celebrating holidays earlier, and is this change impacting our overall appreciation of Christmas?

2. What are the economic and environmental impacts of early
Christmas shopping?

3. What date do you think stores should be permitted to start selling Christmas merchandise?