Post-Holiday Shoppers Digging Into Big Deals
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) -- For Joselyn Rowe and Sarah Hudson, post-holiday sales are every bit the tradition as shopping on Black Friday.
And it seems that this year the Andover women are finding deals like never before.
Retail experts say they can chalk up the good deals to the unusually mild start to winter. That creates a situation where shoppers are cashing in on many retailers' woes.
Stores left with too much outerwear inventory have to slash prices to clear their shelves and make room for spring fashions.
"The apparel deals are awesome," said Mall of America trend specialist Sara Rogers.
She says that while walking around the mall the week after Christmas she sees sales of up to 75 percent off.
"Winter was slow in coming, so retailers have a lot of outerwear they want to get rid of," she said. "So look for super deals on that."
Even some jewelry that normally isn't discounted until spring is priced to move. That is because post-holiday shoppers are being conditioned to search out stores advertising that all too familiar word: sale.
Marge Schwab, owner of the Maria Rivolta kiosk at the Mall of America, says that because she's competing with all the other stores, she has to cut prices to get costumers' attention.
"I like to do that for my customers, even though my product isn't seasonal," she said. "I like to offer my customers a sale several times a year."
There are some other seasonal items you'll find great deals on. Small electronics and gadgets are being moved out before January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
And if you're in the market for a new vehicle, you can save thousands of dollars this time of year.
With so many consumers budgeting for holiday shopping, large ticket items tend to be slow and automaker's zero-percent financing offers are still around.