Is it too early for this display?

Display at Dollarama, Vancouver, BC (December 22, 2014)

Dollar stores depend on moving a lot of low priced inventory. The key to this business, and the key to success in most retail operations, is to have the right product at the right time. (At the right price and in the right quantity.)

I saw this display in the Dollarama location on Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver, BC on December 22nd. And yes, it is what it looks like, Valentine's Day Candy. The candy was on display almost two months before Valentine's Day.

I'd say this is both good news and bad news for Dollarama. On one hand the Valentine's Day stock has arrived in plenty of time to meet customer demand. But the Valentine's Day stock was put onto the sales floor because the store had almost completely sold out of Christmas candy. (As you can see from the empty displays on either side of the Valentine's Day candy display.)

How the store almost ran out of Christmas candy three shopping days before is just one of those oddities of retail. It may be either too little supply, or unexpectedly high demand.

On reflection it is possibly better to run out than have to discount huge stocks of unsold season candy after the selling season is over. I just wonder when I start to see the easter candy arrive on the shelves?