Tesco was branded “bonkers” this week for putting Easter eggs on sale before Christmas.
The Sun reported: The store giant put chocolate eggs, chicks and lambs on the shelves 3½ months before Easter Sunday, which falls on April 8 in 2012.
It is thought to be the earliest they have ever appeared.
Customers who saw the treats while shopping for Christmas turkeys called the move “absolute madness”.
And the Church of England accused Tesco of driving the commercialisation of religious festivals.
Packs of Cadbury’s choc chicks seen before Christmas bear the message: “Make it a magical Easter.”
Shopper Julia Lee, 32, of Market Rasen, Lincs, said: “I couldn’t believe such a huge selection was available. It’s bonkers. Tesco is wishing us a Happy Easter.”
C of E spokesman Steve Jenkins said: “It’s too early to be selling Easter eggs. There are many of the 12 days of Christmas left. Religious festivals have been commercialised and they need to remember Easter eggs are not in shops just because they are made of chocolate.”
Tesco said they were merely giving customers what they want.
Confectionary buyer James Marshall added: “This year we will have our largest selection of chocolate eggs ever at this time to cater for the growing annual demand.”