German supermarkets are witnessing an annual phenomenon as Christmas treats hit the shelves in late summer. While some customers are outraged by the early arrival of festive goodies, others are secretly indulging, leading to amusing responses from retailers.
Supermarkets across northern Germany are addressing the early appearance of Christmas treats with a touch of humor. The Marktkauf in Bremen’s Duckwitzstraße quipped, “Even though temperatures are still summery, autumn goods are rushing in… you can even drop some speculoos into your iced coffee.”
An Edeka store in Salzgitter sparked a heated discussion with their playful post: “You’ve all been eagerly waiting for our delicious autumn baked goods. Gingerbread, speculoos, and much more. They’re also perfect for the Christmas season. That’s pure coincidence, of course!” However, the comment section quickly turned sour, with customers hurling insults over the early arrival of Christmas treats and the store’s labeling of them as “autumn baked goods.”
Mixed reactions from customers
While many express outrage at the early appearance of Christmas treats, others admit to secretly enjoying them. An Edeka store in Wellingholzhausen humorously noted, “For those who already crave delicacies like stollen, gingerbread, pepper nuts, and speculoos, we already have a nice ‘collection’ of Christmas baked goods ready. You know, you can’t start early enough with this, because the holidays always come so suddenly.”
A Rewe store in Wilhelmshaven joined in, announcing a “Gingerbread alert!” This prompted comments like “Should be banned, it’s still four months until Christmas” and “I personally find it really impossible. We’re still in summer!”
Despite the outrage, demand persists
Interestingly, despite the vocal opposition, there seems to be a secret appetite for these treats. An Edeka store in Neuharlingersiel observed, “You’ve apparently been waiting for this. You’ve already munched through a whole pallet.” One commenter admitted, “I’ve already killed my first pack of Domino stones because I simply felt like it,” while another pragmatically noted, “Those who don’t want to buy it yet can just walk on by.”
The debate has even extended to mulled wine, with many customers jokingly agreeing that it’s the only thing missing to perfect the late summer Christmas feeling.
This annual phenomenon highlights the complex relationship between consumer behavior, marketing strategies, and cultural traditions, all played out in the aisles of German supermarkets.
