Urban Alamanac General Store says no Christmas until after Nov. 11

A Fredericton store has joined the chorus of critics across the country who say retailers should postpone Christmas decorating until after Remembrance Day out of respect for veterans.

The Urban Almanac General Store signalled its support in a recent message on Twitter.

"Wondering where our Xmas stuff is? It's in our basement, where it should be, till after Remembrance Day #LestWeForget," it said.

Store owner Andrew Wilkins, who argues the displays in his store are seasonal.

"I think the meaning of Christmas and the spirit of the holidays was getting lost with the earlier and earlier arrival of merchandise," he said.

It’s a decision many customers appreciate.

"It's great to take a few days after Halloween and before Christmas to remember something that was so great and so many people sacrificed their lives for," said Samantha Michaud.

Her sister Mélanie Michaud agreed.

"I don't think it's right that people go ahead right into the Christmas season before even Remembrance Day, it's disrespectful," she said.

Maintenance man Stewart Milne was adjusting the fake snow around the last of the Christmas displays at Fredericton's Regent Mall on Monday.

He is a 22-year military veteran of the Cyprus operation.

"I have talked to many veterans about this, I see a lot of my friends coming here shopping, they see me setting this up, and I ask them point blank, 'How do you feel about it?' They had no issue, as long as it's not lit up," he said.

The mall says the displays won't be lit up until November 12.

Myrna Brideau, mall marketing manager says with a two week set-up time, the mall has to start early to be ready for Santa.

“Santa arrives the first Sunday after Remembrance Day every year, so starting November 1 we first start putting up our Christmas décor.”

Last week, former CBC Dragons' Den cast member Brett Wilson started the debate about the issue with a tweet, questioning Christmas displays during a time when attention should be focused on veterans.

"Reminder to retailers - until November 12th - don't even think about #XmasDecorations - yup - #RespectOurVeterans w/ the #RedPoppy PleaseRT," Wilson tweeted.

Retail analyst Jim Danahy agrees the race for holiday profits is leading to disrespect for Remembrance Day.

He says there's no reason stores need to put out their Christmas lights and displays so early in the season. 

"Merchandise will still be in the stores, so if people need it and want it, they can buy it," said Danahy, president of CustomerLAB in Toronto.

"They can even, you know, put a sale marker up. Nobody's saying you should not advertise during the Oct.31 to Nov. 11th time period. They're just saying there's a social tone that's a little more reflective and focused on wearing our poppies for 11 days."

Danahy expects that after this year's debate, stores will postpone holiday decorating until closer to the end of November.