Deck the Department Stores

This weekend is Revolution Day, commemorating the 112th anniversary of the revolution which overthrew the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz and changed the fabric of Mexican society.  However, most Mexicans are probably not thinking about the historical events of over a century ago.  They are getting ready for the "Buen Fin", the three-day weekend of sales that marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

When I was downtown this week, I could see that department stores were already gearing for the big event.  

Just one block from the Zócalo, the main plaza in the historic center, is the original downtown store of Liverpool, Mexico's biggest department store chain.  The store windows all carried the theme of the "factory of the best toy store".

 "The elves welcome you!"

The polar bear "Bolo" is Liverpool's mascot for the holiday season.

(By the way, if you are wondering about the name "Liverpool", the store got its name because back in the 19th century most of the merchandise imported from Europe was shipped via Liverpool, England.)

Just across the street from the Liverpool store, is the downtown branch of Palacio de Hierro, Mexico's most upscale department store.  I mentioned once before that their slogan is the rather snobbish "Soy totalmente Palacio" (I am totally Palacio).  Over the main entrance is a sign saying, "Totally Palacio Christmas 2022".

Their "Buen Fin" sales began on Wednesday, and their advertising in the windows boasts "the longest weekend is in the Palacio".

Peeking inside you can see that the store is decked out with garlands and balloons.

One block over from Palacio de Hierro is yet another department store, Nuevo Mundo.  Nuevo Mundo was founded in 1877 as a fabric store, catering to ladies who did not want to wait months for the latest fashions to arrive from Europe.  It still has a very large fabric department on the main floor.  The four-story store now has clothing and housewares departments.  It is a much more reasonably priced store, but it was very nicely decorated for Christmas.