Oh dear, PN, such FNM-speak.
Back to poppies, I agree that 'poppy creep' seems to be a meeja thing. I haven't yet encountered a poppy seller in my local town this year, so perhaps there's some luvvies' source which provides them to remind others that it's an important time of year?
Back in the 1950s and 60s, we used to have the proper ones with 'Earl Haig' in the centre - and even posher ones for the cars. Present day ones are rather cheaper looking - which hopefully means that production costs are less, so more money goes to the fund.