It may only be the end of January, but the year seems to fly by in the world of retail. Now sooner has the last piece of tinsel been taken down than the shelves are heaving with chocolates, hearts and flowers. Valentine’s Day may be over for most in just 24 hours (unless you have a particular romantic partner who’s whisking you off for a sun drenched week in the Maldives!) but for the shops it’s yet another reason to tempt us with a whole array of goods for weeks and weeks before hand. Valentine’s cards, heart shaped novelties and Belgian chocolates fight for shelf space with the every growing range of Easter Eggs on sale each year. No sooner is Easter done and dusted than we’ll be encouraged to buy for Father’s Day, to stock up on seasonal summer goodies, then the kids will need all sorts of things from the back to school range before the shops once again start putting the tinsel up again for the three month count down to Christmas! Phew! Although I’m a self-confessed shopoholic and easily tempted by all the seasonal goodies, I sure am glad that I don’t work in retail, as I really don’t think I could keep up. I struggle to get everything done and sometimes feeling I’m living weeks ahead of myself as it is, but I draw the line at getting into the Christmas spirit in August!