Last-Minute Shoppers Scramble For Gifts As Retailers Extend Hours On Christmas Eve
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The clock's running out on picking up those last-minute Christmas gifts, and retailers are doing everything to help procrastinators.
KCAL9's Adrianna Weingold reported live Tuesday from the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks, where there was a mad dash for gifts.
George Kevorkian had his hands full by noon trying to get ahead of the crowds and home to his family.
"I've just been working so much that I haven't had a chance until now so I'm trying to get everything done as fast as I can, go get ready, wrap things up and make everybody happy," Kevorkian said.
He isn't the only one who waited until the last minute to shop, but he says he enjoys it - unlike Brittany Coles, who said she procrastinated purchasing because she just doesn't like holiday shopping
"I dread it. But you know something, I know people got me a lot of good Christmas gifts so I'm going to hook everybody else up in exchange," Coles said.
Other shoppers braced themselves for crowds, but Oliver Leiber said he was surprised the scene wasn't more chaotic.
"I thought this was going to be absolute insanity and it's pretty low-key considering it's the day before Christmas," he said.
KCAL9's Crystal Cruz meanwhile spoke to shoppers at Toys"R"Us in Ontario, where some parents were hoping to find that perfect gift.
While some enjoyed having the store almost to themselves, others had a different experience.
"The store is a mess. Shelves are a mess. A lot of things on the floor," one shopper said.
Stores seemed to be offering huge discounts and deals - a push in the final hours before Christmas.
According to ShopperTrak, which gathers and analyzes shopping data, in-store retail sales decreased by about three percent last week, compared to the same time last year.
The Westfield Fashion Square will be open Tuesday until 6 p.m.
For a list of popular retailers open on Christmas Eve, see below. Individual store hours may vary:
Apple: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Bed Bath & Beyond: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Best Buy: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Gap: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Kohl's: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lowe's: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Macy's: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Marshalls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Nordstrom: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Target: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
TJ Maxx: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Whole Foods: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
A guide to Los Angeles during the holiday season is available here.
