Christmas merchandise hits the shelves

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NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- New York retailers are taking advantage of the upcoming Halloween holiday in order to push Christmas merchandise as early as September, retail analysts say.

Stores throughout Manhattan are already showcasing Christmas ornaments and decorations in their window displays, the New York Post reported Saturday.

"While we won't see retailers fully deck the halls until November, there is definite demand from their shoppers to bring out the holiday decor as early as September," National Retail Federation spokeswoman Kathy Grannis said.

Some retailers are using Halloween as a way to remind customers that Christmas is not far off. Lee's Art Shop was displaying a black tree decorated with ravens and devils positioned next to a more traditional white Christmas tree on its sales floor.

Retail experts say Christmas shoppers want a head start on the holidays and merchandise is already being snatched up.