Has Anyone Noticed?

**pollypurebred39** · 06-06-2011, 09:40 PM

That there are hardly any Summer goods on the shelves? I mean like those cute Summer pitchers, glasses, serving bowls. Last year the stores were packed with them. I was looking for a summery pitcher and glasses for a gift and I could hardly find anything available. CVS is not carrying hardly any of the regular Summer stuff that they used to have, neither is Kmart, or Walmart. Walmart's were these ugly solid color, made out of cheap plastic. No selection at all. Kmart had 2 different pitchers to chose from, but no glasses. CVS had no pitchers or glasses. I haven't checked Target yet, but I'm afraid to waste gas, I've already wasted enough.

**mauimagic** · 06-06-2011, 09:51 PM

You're right Polly - same here. Guess they are afraid to invest merchandise dollars. Scary times for everyone!!

**pollypurebred39** · 06-06-2011, 09:55 PM

Hmm...Maybe that's why I'm having such a hard time finding clearance items for Christmas.

**krbshappy71** · 06-06-2011, 11:42 PM

ha ha, funny you mention this. I was just in Walgreens (a dangerous store for me usually) and they had these watermelon goblets and the first thing I thought to myself was, "Oh woah, those are SO LAST YEAR." No joke, I distinctly remembered the exact goblets.

Not that stores have to keep giving me new stuff but I must admit it was VERY easy to walk away from "yesterday's news" of goblets. *BIG GRIN!*

**zakity** · 06-07-2011, 01:03 AM

Yeah, I wanted a new pitcher. All of them were $10+ and there weren't very many of them. I also didn't like how they sealed up (or more like the lacking of them sealing up). So, I ordered a pack of 2 quart canning jars (6 of them) for $11. I now have a new pitcher and 5 storage containers.

**lisaflex** · 06-07-2011, 06:11 AM

target does have some cute ones left on the shelf.

i got some super cute pitchers for citrus water at the hospice resale shop over the winter.

**mamamia** · 06-07-2011, 07:45 AM

Maybe a long shot, but have you tried the "clearance" at Kohl's? I got some great matching pieces there last year, including a matching metal ice/beverage holder. It's shaped like old fashioned wash basin w/2 handles. My only regret is that I didn't buy the last 3 that was left. Would've filled them up w/drinks and ice, and made great hostess gifts for BBQs out of them.

Polly if you do go to Kohl's, do a google for Kohl's coupons. There's almost always at least a 15% printable out there.

Hope you find something. It really is wierd that it's "slim pickins" out there!!

Theresa

**Ceashels** · 06-07-2011, 08:18 AM

There were some at Target yesterday when I was there. I didn't note the price though since they weren't on my list.

**shoiji** · 06-07-2011, 08:44 AM

Was just at CVS and noticed the ice cream dishes they were selling. They were the same shape as the past 2 years but the decoration and colors were ugly.

Do you have a dollar tree or big lots near you? You might want to check there or maybe look at a stores website to help save on gas.

**frugal.lass** · 06-07-2011, 09:13 AM

Summer "patio ware" is still going strong in my area (near Toronto, Ontario, waaaay up in Canada) but according to all the news reports I've seen/heard, Canada isn't experiencing the same type of economic slow down that the US is having. I'm sure that has something to do with it.

I rarely step into retail stores now (buy a lot of items secondhand, get hand me downs, etc) but went to a mall the other day while on a layover and noticed that the stores had all their summer stuff out. Some of it was really cute and I definitely want some for the deck at my new place but I'm trying to keep all non-essential spending under control *because* I have a new place (and the matching bills). My thrift store is always overrun with that stuff though so maybe I'll check there.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-07-2011, 11:02 AM

Our grocery store had a bunch of that stuff. What I have noticed though is that seasonal stuff goes out early, like Feb or March and it is never replenished. So if you're not in the 4th of July mood at Valentine's Day, your SOL by the time summer gets here.

I noticed Christmas decor is starting to appear in stores already. The retail industry is really screwed up.

**xtena** · 06-07-2011, 11:14 AM

I saw some cute summer dishes at Target recently. Problem is it's all melamine. Isn't that the same stuff that poisoned all those babies in China, when it was cut into the milk supply? That's stopped me from splurging. However, years ago Target had the most adorable flamingo summer set. Of course my soon-to-be-ex, the cheapskate from hell, would never let me purchase them even when I was making 60K a year. I sooo wish I could find something like that again, melamine or no melamine. Frugal or not, I'd buy the entire set as a present to myself in a heartbeat just because I can (and seriously, I don't even have a complete set of four matching dishes, so it's not like it would be a waste of money).

**McD** · 06-07-2011, 12:02 PM

'Melamine is not toxic, but inside the body it can cause kidney stones and renal failure.'

Read more: Melamine - TIME

I've seen some cute stuff at Target. They had some super cute little Lemonade pitchers for $3.00

**pollypurebred39** · 06-07-2011, 12:30 PM

Thanks everyone, Target and Kohl's it is. I just hope I did not start shopping too late in the season.The very idea that Christmas is coming in just floors me, Summer has barely begun.

As far as the same stuff as last year, it may very well be. I know my son's store kept charcoal and rock salt to put out again the following season. I was disappointed because I wanted to get both charcoal and rock salt at their normal end of season sales.

**peanut** · 06-07-2011, 12:45 PM

We actually pick up patio ware at Dollarama here. Two glasses for $1. Hard to beat. The trays are pretty cute too. I picked up on specifically for serving watermelon this summer.