I VISITED the Waitrose store in Salisbury today and found what I would expect in lesser supermarkets – a whole set of shelving dedicated to Easter confectionery. Arrrggghhh!

Today is January 2, 2015. Easter Day is on April 5.

How can Waitrose sanction the selling of such goods now? Supermarkets, and shops in general, which promote the sale of goods associated with religious or other holidays well before the day on which they are celebrated are degrading these festivals and holidays.

We have Christmas starting in September in some shops, Easter in January in Waitrose, hot cross buns, which have a specific religious significance, all year round, Back to School in July, hardly after the schools have broken up, crumpets, which are a traditional chilly autumn/winter snack, toasted on an open fire in the old days, available nearly all year, cream eggs available all year. It’s pathetic.

Such retail activities spoil these holidays for me. Christmas goods and decorations should not be seen until December 1 and Easter goods, two weeks before Good Friday.

Similarly festive foods should be treats at festive and seasonal times only.

But Waitrose has been dragged along with the Tescos, Lidls and Aldis of this world.

Nothing is special anymore. Increasing profit is everything.

Chris Chelu

Coombe Bissett