Is it too early for shops to be selling Easter eggs?

Some supermarkets are already selling Easter eggs - but is it too early?

Christmas and New Year celebrations are over, 2024 is well and truly under way and we're now getting ready for...Easter?!

It's a popular Christian festival that in modern times has become linked to the giving and eating of chocolate eggs in the UK.

However, with January still chugging along, the end of March might feel pretty far away.

And there are some big events happening before then, including Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year and Mother's Day.

Chocolate eggs are commonly eaten during the Christian festival

Despite Easter being a fairly long way off, it hasn't stopped supermarkets and shops stocking their shelves with thousands of Easter eggs.

So with more than three months still to go before Easter, why exactly is this happening?

"This is a tactic used by the supermarkets to encourage shoppers to spend.

"If shoppers spot an Easter egg on the shelf in January, they might feel pressured to buy it just in case it sells out or the price goes up before Easter.

"The supermarkets are trying to create a sense of urgency," retail expert Natalie Berg told Newsround.

"The supermarkets are also hoping that you may be tempted to eat the chocolate before Easter, in which case you'll have to go back to the store and buy more."

The question many people are likely to ask is whether this tactic actually pays off for shops.

"Yes it works, especially when you consider how long they've have been doing this," Natalie says.

Chocolate eggs make a very tasty treat

What have supermarkets said about this?

Some supermarkets say they put Easter eggs out on their shelves early because there's demand for them, even at this time of year.

A Tesco spokesperson told Newsround: "It's a few weeks until customers are able to choose from our full range of Easter products. However, we know some of our customers like to buy their eggs early so we have started selling a small selection in some of our stores."

It's something Sainsbury's also spoke to Newsround about. Their spokesperson said: "Some stores may have a couple of Easter products on display. This is because some customers like to treat themselves early and begin their preparations in plenty of time."

We want to hear from you - is it too early for shops to be selling Easter eggs? And perhaps more importantly - is it too early to eat them? Let us know your thoughts by taking part in our vote and you can also leave us a comment below.

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