03 January 2024 , 15:37
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You may have noticed that supermarkets have already started to stock Easter Eggs - and despite there still being 88 days until Easter (at the time of writing), there is a cheeky reason as to why they are already on the shelves.
People have been left stunned to see the chocolate eggs piling up already, and it's ludicrous to think about Easter as Christmas has only just been and gone - but it's all down to mind games being played according to experts. Supermarkets want to make sure you don't miss out on your favourite egg, but it's also a way to make people buy them much earlier.
It's a "psychological trick" that encourages people to "buy more", Psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur told the Metro. She stated that Easter can be a "psychological trigger" for some people, and supermarkets stocking eggs early can trigger people to buy them now.
"Shops will often strategically introduce seasonal items well in advance of the actual holiday or event to create a sense of anticipation and excitement that can prompt early purchases. Seeing Easter eggs displayed now can serve as a visual or subconscious reminder of the event, which can encourage people to start planning their Easter celebrations well in advance," she explained.
It can also create a sense of "urgency" and "scarcity" as people may fear they will run out. Another trick is that they will be cheaper when sold earlier, and to encourage people to buy them now, as they may be worried the price will hike up closer to the time. If you have chocolate eggs sitting around, it also means there is an increased temptation to open one earlier - meaning you'll then need to buy more to replace them. Depending on how good with self-restraint you are, you could end up in a cycle of rebuying the eggs unnecessarily too.
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People were starting to notice eggs on the shelves as early as December 29, as one shopper pointed out on X, formerly known as Twitter and wondered if it was a new record. He shared the post of the Cadbury's egg in his local supermarket in Ireland. Another woman spotted some eggs and other Easter-themed goodies in her local supermarkets and said we're still in the 12 Days of Christmas. She wrote: "Come on @marksandspencer @sainsburys you can be better than this. Even though Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ points to his death (Good Friday) & resurrection (Easter) .. it is STILL Christmas (lasts 12 days) Why are you already displaying EasterEggs? #ShockingConsumerism." Another X user replied and said: "B&M have had Easter Eggs on sale since the end of October!!!"