Last-Minute Shoppers Take Advantage Of Extended Store Hours As Holiday Approaches
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- With only three days left until Christmas, holiday shoppers are in a race against the clock.
Some stores are planning to stay open until Christmas Eve to allow bargain hunters and procrastinators to finish their holiday shopping, CBS 2's Janelle Burrell reported.
It was a mad dash to the finish line for some at the Toys-R-Us in Times Square on Sunday morning.
"This year has been very hectic. I kind of procrastinated a little bit. these humans are crazy out there," one shopper told CBS 2's Burrell.
Toys-R-Us was not the only store that was open for last-minute shopping. Macy's, Kmart, and Kohls were also staying open around the clock until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve for procrastinators in need of gifts.
"That's good because some people haven't done their shopping and so they can come at the last-minute and do it," a shopper commented.
Forty-four percent of people still had not finished their holiday shopping heading into the weekend, according to a survey. Retailers are hoping that people will take advantage of the extended hours.
Traditionally, up to 30 percent of holiday shopping is done during the last two weeks of the year.
Four of the busiest shopping days occur between December 20 and 24.
"Retailers are actually finding themselves a bit behind and trying to make up for lost time. You know they had a really good early start but that faded very quickly," one shopping expert explained,"As they go into that more traditional lull after Thanksgiving and they just haven't gained that momentum they've been looking for."
Retailers are hoping that major discounts will drive that momentum and get merchandise out of their stores which is why some people say they wait until right before the holiday to shop, for others there is no alternative.
"Honestly there's nothing wrong with it. I have no time in the beginning so I just do it at the end," one shopper said.
But stores aren't the only ones who are out to get your money. The holidays are a prime time of the year for identity thieves.
"They attempted to steal $5,000 at first, then they tried to charge $4,500 in TVs," fraud victim Elizabeth Brothers said.
Last week, Target admitted that scammers had gained access to 40-million customers' credit and debit card accounts.
"The problem with a debit card is that money is coming directly out of your account. It's come and it's gone even if that's done for fraudulent reasons. With a credit card there's a delay and the credit card company can come back and reimburse you for a loss," CBS Business New Analyst, Jill Schlesinger said.
Experts warned shoppers to be smart and careful as they finish their holiday shopping.
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