Why a very ordinary item on the shelves at Woolworths has divided customers

Grocery shoppers were shocked to find Christmas treats are already up for sale at a Woolworths in Sydney, despite the holiday being over four months away.

Photos of Christmas cakes and puddings appeared on social media on Sunday.

‘Winter isn’t even over yet,’ the user wrote.

The photos showed Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies and salted caramel pudding for sale.

Most Aussies were excited to see the early arrival of the Christmas desserts.

‘Still makes me excited because fruit pudding and cake are a gift from God,’ one commenter wrote.

‘I can hear the Mariah Carey and Michael Buble through this photo,’ another said.

The Christmas items for sale in August include fruit cake, fruit mince pies and salted caramel pudding

‘Because “why the f**k not?”,’ another wrote.

‘That’s probably the stock they’ve been trying to move since just after Easter,’ another joked.

However, some commenters were less than impressed and slammed Woolworths for starting the festive season too early.

‘I noticed a display at my local post office the other day saying “spread the merry” and had to double take, thinking it couldn’t possibly be Christmas crap already…it was,’ one Sydneysider said.

Woolworths said releasing the Christmas products early gives customers a chance to stock-up ahead of Christmas and spread the cost of their feast over a few months

‘What about Halloween?! I don’t even partake in it but aren’t the supermarkets usually doing things based on whichever holiday/event thing is next?,’ another said.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the early Christmas range is part of the grocery giant’s plan to help customers plan ahead and save for Christmas.

‘With cost of living and sustainability in mind, we’re expecting customers to be looking for more ways to save and minimise waste this Christmas, they said.

‘Some of our customers like to purchase products early and have them stocked away to help spread out their Christmas spend. 

Shoppers have spotted Christmas items in Woolworths, Target, Bunnings and Costco (above)

‘Others like to taste test products to ensure they hit the spot for their big Christmas feast.’

Fruit mince pie sales are already up 206 per cent compared to last year, fruit cakes are up 102 per cent and puddings are up 65 per cent.

Shoppers have also spotted Christmas gear for sale in Bunnings, Target and Costco.