Post-Christmas rush is on: Returns down, sales up this season

By MELISSA STOVER / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Brenda Sanders, left, and Geta Geer did some after Christmas shopping at JCPenney yesterday. Local retailers said returns were down and more customers were taking advantage of post-holiday sales this year. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

Nothing but empty boxes and tiny bits of paper remain. The beautiful packages which have been nestled under the tree are now a mere casualty of Christmas morning.

With all the gifts opened and dinners eaten, the busiest shopping holiday of the year is over, or is it? According to merchants at Three Star Mall, the days after Christmas are proving to be good shopping days as well.

These are the days most would consider to be big “gift return” days, but merchants in the mall say returns are actually down and spending is up.

“Returns were down compared to last year. We’ve had several returns but mostly people seemed to be exchanging and buying,” said Darlene Ramsey of JC Penney.

That appeared to be the feeling throughout most of the mall as most stores were busy with shoppers looking for those post holiday sales.

Merchants felt the popularity of gift certificates was one of the reasons for fewer returns. Data from the National Retail Federation seems to bear that out, reporting sales on the certificates have reached record numbers with 70 percent of surveyed consumers saying they planned to buy gift cards during this holiday season.

“It has become socially acceptable to give a gift card,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for NPD Group, a market-research firm in Port Washington, N.Y.

This trend seems be in effect locally as well.

“The sale of gift cards has really been increasing the past couple of years,” said Ramsey. “Gift cards are the thing for giving these days.”

The result has been a reduction in the after Christmas return rush, at least for some retailers.

Tara Deckard of Claire’s Boutique said, “We only had one person working the morning after Christmas; she was very busy but it was more sales than returns.”

Merchants also reported at least some increase in pre-holiday sales compared to last year

“The store has done really well this year,” said Mitzi Clark of Goody’s. “We’ve even gone to several other stores and picked up more merchandise.”

While most associates and managers agreed the holiday rush has been crazy and hectic, they said they’re glad to see shoppers spending and spending locally.

Associates also said shoppers have been pleasant and patient during the waits at the registers, but their biggest job is yet to come. Now they have to go about straightening up the stores after all the holiday rush.