Is it too soon for Easter eggs to go on sale?

Easter eggs are on display in supermarkets two days after Christmas

After sightings at a number of big-name stores, many felt it was simply ‘too soon’.

While many people are still finishing off their festive leftovers, the UK’s big-name stores appear to have already moved on from Christmas, with several putting Easter eggs on sale.

Social media users posted pictures of chocolate eggs on the shelves of a number of high street chains, with many commenting on how quickly they had appeared.

Several pointed out the seasonal chocolates on display in Co-op stores around the country, more than 16 weeks before Easter Sunday.

Among them was Andrew Beer, who wrote of a sighting in Sandwich, Kent: “Barely processed the Christmas food and there are already Easter eggs on the flippin shelves at Co-op.”

While many shared Mr Beer’s sentiment, the chain defended the decision on Twitter, replying to another annoyed customer calling himself “Mr Grumppy”: “Hi Mr Grumppy, from experience we know some customers like to buy them early and we think it’s okay to give those people a choice. We’ll have them in stock closer to the time too.”

Paul Curry posted an image on Twitter of a variety of Easter goods on sale at WH Smith in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, adding the hashtag #waytooearly.

Hannah Ramsey, 30, from Darlington, said she was “very surprised” when she spotted eggs on sale in the same city, this time at a Sainsbury’s store.

“I know it’s a cliche that they appear in the shops shortly after Christmas, but 27th December does feel very efficient. I think some suspense is better,” she said.

Not everyone was disappointed, though. After spotting the sweet treats on sale at a Sainsbury’s branch in Bermondsey, south London, Ollie Lavery tweeted: “Guys, don’t panic … Christmas may be over but Creme Eggs and Mini Eggs are already on sale. PRAISE BE!”

What are your views? Is it too soon for Easter eggs to go on sale, or are you happy to see them on the shelves?