Opinion divided as Selfridges opens Christmas shop in July

Retail giant Selfridges is the first department store in the world to launch its Christmas shop. It comes at the height of summer - 147 days before the big day.

Their theme is “With Love From…” – a tribute to London,Manchester and Birmingham.

But, Londoners were not in the festive spirit when they spoke to Press Association.

One shopper outside the store on Oxford Street said: “If you’re selling it all year it doesn't feel magical, and I feel that Christmas is magical."

Another shopper said: "For me, I think it's crazy. I usually do my bits last minute, so for me it's delusional.

"But then I have a bestfriend who absolutely loves Christmas so it'd be just up her street. I think itdepends on the type of person.

"Otherwise it's far too early. It's summery. It's not winter. You don't need it."

But, Eleanor Gregory from Selfridges insists a lot of international customers love to bring home souvenirs, while lots of domestic customers love to "buy Christmas a bit early... but any customers of course that aren't really into Christmas this early can always ignore it."

Additional reporting by Press Association