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Holiday Shopping Season Starts Early

Written by Lauren McMillen

Last updated on September 15, 2014 @ 12:48AM

Created on September 14, 2014 @ 12:16PM

Christmas may be more than three months away, but that's not stopping retailers from rolling out the holiday displays.

Across the country, stores are promoting bigger and better deals to help jump start the holiday shopping season. Everything from extended hours to faster check-out lanes is being introduced.

In some stores, Christmas trees and stockings are already being placed next to pumpkins.

According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 20% of Americans have already started their holiday shopping. And by Halloween, that number is expected to double.

5 News talked to some shoppers who are already ahead of the game, but others say the early rush is too much.

"I have started mine online, but I think that it's too early to start putting stuff out in stores. I think Halloween and Thanksgiving tends to be forgotten," said Melissa Neely, Lewis County resident.

"I think it's a little too early, but once Thanksgiving hits lets go crazy with Christmas stuff. Once fall is here, lets put our lights up," said Nathan Maditz, Harrison County resident.

Kmart was the first retailer this year to launch their pre-holiday ad.