Might We Be Rushing Things Just A Little Bit?

Seeing that I don't have kids, I'm not a completely sure, but I'm guessing the Back To School sections of retailers around Rochester have been fully stocked now since just after the 4th of July.  And even though it's not even mid-August yet, while running a few errands this morning, I witnessed yet another glimpse of how stores tend to rush the seasons on us.

While I'd heard rumors of this a week or so ago, I saw it firsthand today at a big-box store, where they're known for their low COST (hint, hint). Yes, there they were, in all their season-hurrying glory: several racks of children's Halloween costumes, with at least one parent perusing them while I was there.  Halloween isn't until the end of October, for crying out loud-- that's almost 3 months away!

And as if that wasn't enough, just to add insult to injury, located directly next to the Halloween costumes, were children's down-filled winter jackets. Winter jackets!  In the second week of August!  I realize stores routinely stock up for upcoming seasons earlier than the majority of consumers would even think of purchasing said seasonal items, but a display of winter jackets while it's still summer?!? Come on, man!