'Tis not season for sales this year

As the Christmas holiday arrives and Christians around the world celebrate and share gifts, most Chinese mark the day as not unlike any other. Businesses and customers this year, too, may have experienced a slower shop-till-you-drop environment than in the past for a variety of reasons.

China has long been driving the world's Christmas economy, with Yiwu, Zhejiang province, mass producing every conceivable Christmas-themed product.

This year, all that cheer does not seem to be translating into higher sales in China, said market sources and consumers.