Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Joining us now is Jason Woodward, who's the CEO of
Christmas Designers. This is one of the largest and most
successful Christmas companies in our country right now. They're based
out of Texas. Jason, welcome in, Thanks for being.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Here, all right, thanks for having me on the show.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
So, yeah, we were just talking about this Thanksgiving right
around the corner, and a lot of people say, oh, yeah,
Black Friday, that's when we really get serious about Christmas.
But you know, my wife and I have had this
discussion like three times over last week. As soon as
Halloween is over, let's get busy and have this place
set up for Christmas and ready to rock and roll.
Do you find that more people are starting to start
earlier than before in history or is it still yeah
(00:35):
that Thanksgiving is when we get going.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
No, it's definitely earlier than it.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Really, every year seems to be earlier and earlier, and
it's not unusual to see lights starting to go up
even in October and November first has become a big
turn on date for people with their Christmas lights around
the perimeter of their home or in their yards. So
you start to see a lot more people really focusing
on that installations in October early November, and really they
want to have those lights and decorations up earlier than
(01:00):
tip and then we would have seen a decade or
two decades ago.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
We were talking about Thanksgiving just a few minutes ago,
and the Turkey Federation says there's going to be turkeys
out there, the frozen ones. But you know, there was
also concern that the prices are going up on these
turkeys because the bird flu thing that you know whipped
through here recently. And also productivity is done a little
bit here. What's happening with inventory when it comes to
Christmas decorations and getting ready for the holidays in your arena.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Sure, yes, we are anticipating a shortage anywhere from fifteen
to twenty percent less Christmas lights, decorations, trees, raised, garlands
in the country this year. And really that goes to
just the struggles of the importing this year.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Christmas lights have not been made in the United States
in over forty years.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Most of these are all most decorations are imported, and
the tariffs that did put a slow.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Down on those coming in.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
In a lot of cases, there was a lot more
money going towards tariffs and not as much to buy
the product, So whether it's specialized Christmas store like ourselves
or even the big box retail store. We are seeing
on the import logs companies have pulled back on how
much Christmas decord they're bringing in this year, so we
do anticipate some shortages as we get into that mid
to end of November time period.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Your company, Christmas Designers, are you a third party participant
with Amazon? Can people get to your stuff through Amazon?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yes, we are on Amazon and we're on Walmart as well,
and then of course our website Christmas Designers dot com.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
We specialize in the pro grade Christmas lights.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
We sell to pro and sellers, but we take those
same high level decorations and lights and sell to consumers,
so that is available on Amazon or our website.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Most people what are they buying from?
Speaker 1 (02:34):
You have artificial trees, garland, Christmas balls.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
What's the big sellers?
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Really? Everything?
Speaker 3 (02:41):
But our specialty is a higher grade Christmas light said
the same ones that the professionals are using, as well
as offering homeowners the same lightline that goes around the
perimeter of their home. That's the sinon lightline that can
be cut to length. You slide your mails and females on.
They're called Sinon lightline kits. That's really our specialty is
helping people elevate their lighting and lightlack of pro those
same products. So that's really what we see the bulk
(03:03):
of our sills in those categories.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So the price is up a little bit, as you
mentioned to the terroriffts, but not through the roof, and
there's going to be plenty a supply for you writers
that cut back a little bit too.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Well, the supply is down a little bit, but as
far as right now, there's plenty supply. I think if
anybody's buying prior to the middle of November, they're going
to be in good shape. Prices are up a little bit,
anywhere from fifteen to twenty five percent, but if you're
buying good quality product, it's lasting. You're going to get six, seven, eight,
even ten years out of it, So an extra fifteen
to twenty percent over the life of that product is
(03:35):
not that bad as long as you are buying those
higher grade products. You don't want to get the big
boxery tail disposal lights. You're paying a lot for that
and then you're going to be throwing them out after
a year or two. Yeah, that was going to be
my next question. Things you caution people about buying during
the Christmas season, Yeah, it's going to be don't buy
cheap lights. Buy what the pros buy so that your
lights and decorations are work for a long time. They're safe,
(03:56):
they hold up will a year after a year. You
don't want to be out there on on Christmas Eve
having to fix your.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Lights or trying to get them going again.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
So by the better quality product and that does help
to level out the price increases over a number of years.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
All right, to go real or artificial Christmas trees? You know,
we were real forever. I was a purist until they
just started drying out.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
My dog wagging the tail, getting needles on the ground
right after Thanksgiving and Mike, that's it.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
So we went artificial two years ago and I love it.
It's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
What do you see as far as artificial tree sales
are they up down about the same, Well.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
They are up a little bit.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
And that's actually the category that is going to see
probably the biggest shortcoming this year with the shortage, we
are seeing less real trees venues and more artificial and
really that comes down to price because the real.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Trees have gone up so much.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
And that's a year after year after year you're investing
in that, whereas artificial tree, good quality artificial tree, you're
going to get twelve to fifteen years.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Out of it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah, and some of them come pre litt and it
looks pretty good. So all right, once again it's Christmas
designers bamount. They got everything from tinsel to the big trees.
Jason Woodward, thanks for being with me, buddy. I appreciate
you