“Blame” marketers for moving up Christmas 
sales if you wish, but your ire is misplaced 

If sufficient numbers didn’t vote for early Christmas sales with their wallets, marketers would drop them like a rock. Marketing pushes and influences, but “to buy or not to buy” ultimately rests in the hands of consumers. Like any good ad person, I know a lot about human behavior in the marketplace. But I haven’t a clue how to make you act against your will.

—Steve Cuno