NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. retailers are making a merchandising mistake if they overlook Hanukkah as an holiday shopping opportunity, market researcher NPD Group said.
Hanukkah begins at sundown Tuesday, a good three weeks before Christmas this year. When there's such a long time between the two religious celebrations, retailers must rethink how to stock, market and sell the season, USA Today reported.
When Hanukkah is so early in December, retailers could fall for a false reading on holiday spending, said NPD Group chief retail analyst Marshal Cohen
This year's Hanukkah-Christmas retail season could mean more business, easier shopping and higher sales, as well as fewer staffing headaches, retailers said. And, of course, there are separate sales for items sold for the holiday.
After all, two waves of holiday traffic are better than one, said FAO Schwarz spokeswoman Nanette DiFalco.
"It's a larger picture for us on all fronts," she said.
