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Keith McCord Reporting Get used to it, the holiday shopping season is underway! Walk through the malls and stores and you'll find decorations are already up-- and in some places, they've been up for weeks!
We all know that the day after Thanksgiving is a day when many people really begin their holiday shopping! A lot of stores open early--say 5 or 6am, with special deals. Well this year, Fashion Place Mall wants to out-do them all!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the malls. No exception at Fashion Place, a lot of folks are out shopping, but there's an extra buzz there this season:
Tamara DeMilt, Sr. Marketing Mgr. Fashion Place Mall: "We're doing something wild and crazy. We're going to be opening at 12:01 am."
Yep-- one minute past midnight on Friday November 24th, holiday shopping begins here in earnest. The group that owns Fashion Place will do this at six other malls across the country. This is the first time they've tried it.
Tamara DeMilt, Sr. Marketing Mgr. Fashion Place Mall: "In other markets where this has been test marketed, the numbers were really phenomenal for retail sales. We do know that there's a high average purchase that morning."
Used to be that the day after Thanksgiving was the busiest shopping day of the year, but probably not this year...
Here are the top five shopping days predicted for this year--according to ShopperTrak, which monitors nationwide retail activity. With Christmas falling on Monday this year, Saturday Dec. 23rd should be wild!
Busiest Holiday Shopping Days 2006
1-Saturday Dec. 23
2-Friday Nov. 24
3-Saturday Dec. 16
4-Friday Dec. 22
5-Saturday Dec. 9
Source: ShopperTrak Corp.
Fashion Place is calling its early, early bird opening "Rockin' Shoppin' Eve". Store managers say, despite losing some sleep, it's a great way to kick off the season.
Aaron Mullins, Asst. Mgr. The Buckle: "Initial response was, ‘Oh boy.' And then after that it was, ‘This is great. We're definitely honored to be a part of this and to be able to take care of the guests that way.'"
Most stores will have special midnight deals too.
Ryan Dallon, Mgr. Shapiro; "We are. We have some very special things, but I can't divulge what they are. But we will certainly make it well worth your while."
And how does this post-Thankgiving meal shopping opportunity sound to customers?
Heidi Petersen: "I would probably be game."
Reporter: "Never too early to start shopping?"
Heidi: "Never."
Reporter: "Even on a full stomach?"
Heidi: "Even better on a full stomach."
Chelsea Gillman: "I'll probably stay up all night and shop!"
In the retail world, the day after Thanksgiving is known as "Black Friday"-- when stores start making money. The stores are already planning on their big sales, and some of the sale info is showing up on "Black Friday" websites.
