Day After Christmas Shopping Deals Draw Large Crowds
Christmas may be over but the holiday shopping season is not over just yet.
Up and down the coast, thousands of shoppers hit the mall again on Thursday, but this time they weren’t buying gifts for other people. Instead, they were returning the gifts they didn’t want and using the gift cards they received on Christmas. There was one major benefit for going shopping on the day after Christmas — some massive post-Christmas deals.
“I was going to return my Lego set because I already had the same thing, and I returned it for a car. It is much better because I get both the things that I wanted,” said Bobby Rodgers.
Retailers are hoping to snag you once you are in the store using the gift cards you received as gifts.
“We decided to go shopping because we got a gift card to H&M,” said Tanielle Wolin.
“I am out making the most of all the gift cards that I got, so I am shopping and having a me day,” said Janet Carroll.
There are big markdowns after Christmas this year because the pre-Christmas sales were weaker than expected. Sales this holiday season were down more than 3 percent compared to last year. Stores are now hoping people will open their wallets for those wish-list items Santa didn’t leave under the tree this year.
“I am shopping for myself, because I didn’t get many Christmas gifts from my family. They are back in Virginia. So I am getting back to my roots, got some boot-cut jeans and some flannel shirts,” said Jonathan Rufrano.
The best after-Christmas deals are on clothes and several stores are offering 75 percent off every discounted item. Some stores are even offering 30 to 50 percent off every item in the store.
“If I wouldn’t have had the special deals that were going on today. I would have spent about $175 but with the discounts that they have today, I saved over $125 so I spent just over $50 on some merchandise today. I saved more than I spent so it was a great deal.” said Abbie Olson.
While some people shop til they drop after the holidays, others are still waiting for gifts they ordered online. Bad weather and overloaded systems kept UPS and FedEx from delivering thousands of gifts in time for Christmas.
“My daughters, I ordered some stuff from Kay Jewelers, it was supposed to be shipped overnight on the 22nd, but I just got one piece today (the day after Christmas), which I wasn’t really happy about it,” said Terri Melody.
UPS and FedEx are apologizing for the thousands of gifts that did not make it in time for Christmas. They said that most of the packages should be delivered by Thursday night.
