Shoppers have been taken aback by the appearance of Easter eggs on sale at a high street store – before Christmas has even taken place.
A selection of the Easter treats have appeared at Poundland stores, with brands available including KitKat, Maltesers, Dairy Milk Buttons, Mini Eggs and Cadbury Crème Eggs.
Customers questioned the seasonal mismatch on social media, with one in Sheffield saying: ‘OMG he [Christ] hasn’t been born yet and they’re selling his resurrection.’
Others said ‘For god’s sake… we haven’t had Christmas yet’, ‘Santa left quickly – now it’s the Easter bunny here’ and ‘My Halloween stuff is next.’
Another commented: ‘I saw this at my local Poundland, thought I was seeing things.’
At a store in Norwich, where stocking up is encouraged under a ‘any two for £3 promotion’, customers complained that ‘brazen consumerism’ was affecting the festive atmosphere.
‘I think it’s way too early. It’s like selling Christmas trees in spring,’ said Simon Dade, 69.
‘I don’t celebrate Easter and I know it’s important to some people but I don’t understand why they have to be on shelves now.’
Easter eggs galore at a Poundland store in Norwich. Customers pointed out Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection were being celebrated before his birth
Sue Rose, 71, added: ‘I think it’s ridiculous and spoils it for children, especially because it makes it less special if they are available this soon.
‘I mean, Christmas hasn’t gone yet and it ruins the magic..
‘It isn’t like it used to be in the city this time of year and shops doing things like this to get money is part of the problem.’
Another town centre visitor, Michelle Holligan, 52, said it was ‘just silly’ to sell Easter eggs at this time of year.
She added: ‘It makes you think if they’re going to last until Easter if you buy them now.’
Easter chocolate has been spotted on sale at other stores this month – but not the range that Poundland is offering.
They include Cadbury White Crème eggs available at B&M and Aldi’s own brand Nutoka Filled Mini Eggs and Dairyfine Jaffa Filled Mini Eggs.
Easter Sunday falls on April 5 this year, which means items have been on sale up to four months in advance.
Sue Rose, 71, who was out shopping in Norwich, said it was ‘ridiculous’ that Easter eggs were on sale before Christmas
Meanwhile, some places started Christmas sales this year while the summer swelter was still on.
They included Harrods, which opened in Christmas shop in August.
A spokesman for Poundland – which had Christmas goodies on sale before Easter in 2019 – said: ‘Some stores have started to give a sneak peak into what’s coming in 2026 but they are also still stocked full of Christmas goodies.
‘To be honest, it’s never too early for a Crème Egg.’
