Nation’s retailers start final holiday sales push
CHICAGO -- Swirling snow, packed parking lots and massive markdowns greeted many shoppers across the country this weekend as retailers tried to woo consumers to open their wallets during the final holiday countdown.
From flagship department stores to main street shops, consumers found extended hours -- in some places, around-the-clock shopping -- and even some extra-cheery customer service as merchants hope to salvage one of the worst shopping seasons in decades, brought on by the recession and growing economic uncertainty.
"They're really trying to get you in there," said Raleigh, N.C., resident Kim Rardon, who was surprised by the price cuts she saw while searching for gifts on Saturday at Crabtree Valley Mall in north Raleigh.
For those willing to spend, the deals abounded.
In Miami, Ana Solis bought T-shirts from the Disney Store featuring Kermit the Frog and Tigger. One shirt, original price $24.99, was marked down to $7.99 before another 40 percent discount.
The International Council of Shopping Centers expects established stores to post their worst performance for the holidays since at least 1969, when its index began. It predicts same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, will fall as much as 1 percent for the November and December period, and fears the decline could even be steeper.
Still, shoppers were out at Kmart and Sears stores this weekend as customers stocked up on last-minute gifts and electronics like Nintendo's Wii, Blu-ray players, digital cameras and tools.
"For the most part, we beat our previous week, which was a great kind of benchmark, because last week was strong for us," said Tom Aiello, a spokesman for Sears Holdings Corp.
