IT MAY only be October but Christmas bells are already ringing at some retail stores, as they try to coax wary shoppers to open up their wallets early.

Shops are banking on big sales, big Christmas trees and new promotions to get a head start on the last major shopping season in a while, amid financial uncertainty.

Most malls and department stores will launch their Christmas promotions in mid-November, to coincide with the Orchard Road light-up and the beginning of the school holidays.