04
lifestyle
Issue 40 • November 27th 2013 www.manxadvertiser.im
Get started now on that Christmas shopping If you haven’t begun your Christmas shopping, you need to get cracking. That’s the advice of one expert. With less than a month to go until Christmas Day we decided to seek out advice for the reluctant and the confused shopper to make the retail experience that little bit smoother. If you are one of those people for whom the mere thought of Christmas shopping either brings you out in a rash or causes you to search for the nearest dealer in humbugs, Claire Britnell’s words of wisdom may just make the next few weeks a little easier. Claire, store manager at The Mill Shop in Tynwald Mills, says the most important piece advice for those who have yet to commence their Christmas shopping is: ‘Start as early as you can, which spreads the cost and minimises the stress.’ For many, the prospect of heading out into the high streets and shopping centres in search of the perfect gift for a loved one, or the ideal present for a relative they barely see, fills them with dread. But Claire says there are some simple things to bear in mind that will make life a lot easier for the
shopper and also, hopefully, ensure the right presents are opened on Christmas Day. ‘If you need assistance and you have really got to plan your entire Christmas shopping, come into shops early in the day – when they are not quite so busy - and ask for assistance from the sales advisers,’ she suggests. ‘At this stage they know their stock incredibly well and are more than happy to walk customers around their shops. ‘By now we can see what lines are really popular.’ If making it first thing in the morning is not practical, Claire says another time that usually is less busy is about 4pm, when it starts to go dark. If you’re buying for children, one thing to remember is this: the annual clamour for the impossibleto-get toy or game is not just a marketing ploy to pressure you into buying early, it’s genuine and stores do run out as suppliers fail to meet demand. Claire says last year the must-have gift was a Furby and the updated version this year is likely to be in demand equally, while Doc McStuffins gifts are also expected to be hot property,
‘It is not hype. We were having shipments of Furbies last year and they weren’t even making it to the shop floor because we had orders in from customers.’ So getting in early for your kids’ presents is crucial. These days, the temptation to avoid the bad weather and the crowds and instead buy on the internet is greater than ever. Claire acknowledges shopping on the internet is tempting for customers, but says there are some things you cannot replicate online. ‘A lot of the time, if it is an unfamiliar product, you need to see it in the flesh and handle it to see if it is the right colour and the right size. It is very hard to judge something on the internet ‘A clothes shop can show 40 different brands at a time. ‘We understand the internet is massive but we try to offer an experience for the customer.’ That need has seen more entertainment in shopping centres in the run up to Christmas, with everything from music to Santa available in some places. Some stores will take all the strain out for you as well, says Claire, with staff obtaining the details of
the intended recipients before coming up with their own suggestions for presents. And there is some specific advice for those looking to buy the perfect gift for the woman in their life. ‘If you don’t know someone’s size, steer clear of clothes and lingerie,’ Claire says. ‘Go for something more secure, like jewellery or a handbag.’