Shoppers Flock To Stores

CUSTOMERS USE THEIR GIFT CARDS

By Rose Ann Pearce

Posted: December 27, 2011 at 5:29 a.m.

Samantha Baker
Tammi O’Neal browses for clothes Monday during the after-Christmas doorbuster sale at JCPenney in the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. O’Neal said she came looking for a good deal on items for herself, her husband and their son. The doorbuster sale lured hundreds of shoppers in to spend gift cards and scoop up deals on merchandise, many items up to 70 percent off the original price.

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FAYETTEVILLE — A light rain and gray skies didn’t dampen the spirits Monday of post-Christmas shoppers who filled stores in Northwest Arkansas.

“Gift cards,” exclaimed Laura Orear of Springdale, browsing through the racks at JCPenney at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. “I can’t let them burn a hole in my pocket.”

Her 9-year-old daughter, Emily Daniel, said she was bored with the shopping trip, as she waited, somewhat impatiently, for a trip to Toys “R” Us where she planned to spend a gift card.

Chris Rogers of Springdale browsed through running shoes, noting he was looking at the specials. Prices and coupons brought him to the store on Monday.

Chelsea Green of Fayetteville clutched two traditional soldier nutcrackers, the last two in the store and marked down about 75 percent.

“I wanted these nutcrackers before Christmas because of my childhood memories,” Green said, adding she planned to go home as soon as she completed her purchase.

Pam Clark of Elkins was shopping with her mother, daughter and aunt before heading to the theater to see a matinee of “War Horse.” She was shopping for odds and ends, she said, but her daughter was spending Christmas money on a felt hat with a floppy brim.

Denise Sexton of Fayetteville sat in the shoe department at JCPenney, with several shopping bags around her feet. She was shopping for clothes and Christmas items for next year as well as housewares, she said. She scored one of the last remaining nutcrackers as well.

“I usually shop,” she said of her post-Christmas Day activity.

Henry Holloway of Fayetteville said he was at JCPenney early to exchange a pair of jeans his son had given him.

“I had to get a bigger size,” Holloway said. “He thought I was still a teenager. Isn’t that sweet?”

Stan Chesser, assistant manager of JCPenney at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, said, “The day after Christmas has become a huge shopping day Retailers have made it big with specials other than Christmas clearance.”

“It used to be a big return day but now it’s the kickoff of the winter clearance,” Chesser said. The store opened at 6 a.m. Monday.

At Kohl’s Department Store, shoppers were sparse about 8 a.m.

Jennie Popp of Fayetteville browsed through the remaining Christmas items at Kohl’s. “I am looking for deals and getting an early start for next year,” she said.

Josh Hutchcroft, assistant manager at Kohl’s, said there were 15 cars in the parking lot when the store opened at 5 a.m.

Shoppers on the day after Christmas are generally looking for bargains and Christmas leftovers, he said.

“Massive returns usually come in January,” Hutchcroft said.

Shopping is a tradition for sisters Shannon Mott and Diane Davidson.

Mott, of Austin, Texas, who spent Christmas with family. But Monday morning she was hitting up Dillard’s at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers for Clothtique Santas.

The sisters decorate with them every year and every year they look to add to their collection. They arrived early for the best selection on the 50 percent off Christmas items.

“The day after Christmas I go shopping and spend my Christmas money,” Mott said.

Leigh Oliver waited until after Christmas to take her daughters shopping.

“I thought it would be best for them to get their own money and shop,” Oliver said.

The girls get a chance to get what they want instead of exchanges and returns and they learn to shop the sales, she said.

There were presents Christmas morning, but not many clothes, said daughter, Marissa Dedner, 18. The girls visited Target and Old Navy, Hollister and Forever 21 at Pinnacle Hills looking for the styles they like and those bargain prices.

“Just looking for the good deals,” said Dedner, who found several tops. “There’s stuff up to 50 percent off.”

Amye Buckley contributed to this report.

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