The build-up to Christmas seems to start earlier each year, and one major department store has even leapfrogged the festive period and started its winter sale already.
Filling up lost property departments everywhere, destined never to reunite with its owner, the humble umbrella often ends up being recycled or rusting away in landfill.
The frightfest is almost upon us, and this year we're embracing it more than ever before - supermarkets have been trying to tempt us for weeks with an ever-expanding range of ghoulish gadgetry and devilishly delicious treats.
With the end of daylight saving almost upon us, it's time to soften the blow and treat yourself to a shiny new item to help distract you from the lessening hours of sunshine.
Going green by making the morning commute on your cycle is admirable, but it's far from ideal if you end up at the office expended of energy and looking like you've just done an aerobics class fully suited.
The pace of change in technology seems to have quickened its step this past year, and nowhere has it been more noticeable than the mobile handset market.
The message couldn't be any louder or clearer: the campaign to get Brits eating more fruit and veg is well known across the land, but are we all on board yet?