Winter Weather Keeps Shoppers Away
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Harsh winter weather was not what retailers wanted the day after Christmas.
After disappointing holiday sales -- with revenue up less than one percent -- shop keepers had hoped the stores would be flooded with shoppers taking advantage of post-Christmas sales.
Usually on the day after Christmas -- just like on Black Friday -- the parking lot at local malls would be completely packed. But not today.
While snow plows tried to keep parking lots cleared, a few shoppers braved the elements, looking for sales.
"We thought we were going to get some good deals. There's not as many sales as we hoped," Kayla Gavala of Lawrenceville told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.
Was it crowded?
"Not at all," she acknowledged.
After a season of discounts, finding even better sales is hard.
"I feel like the sales last year were a lot better," ' said Rob Delacretaz of Lawrenceville. "I was really excited when the weather got bad actually because they'll be all these sales and nobody around to compete with, but there's nothing for me to even buy."
For some, like Maureen Rodman of McKeesport, it's more the adventure of shopping in the snow.
"Nobody else would be out shopping. Nobody else would travel out in weather, so we always go in the snowstorms," noted Rodman.
While some were returning gifts, one family took advantage of the empty parking lots -- with Barb Misechok of Greenfield saying of her son, "He's crazy. He's been driving us through the parking lots doing donuts. We're having lots of fun."
"Get in the winter spirit," said Chris Misechok. "We had the warm winter last year. Get our first bit of cold weather this year. Get to enjoy it."
In fact, on this traditionally heavy shopping day, one employee admitted she was told to go home mid-afternoon.
"I was supposed to work until 10 tonight, but it's not happening," said Jasmine Wilson of Homestead.
Delano: "They let you leave early?"
Wilson: "Yeah."
Delano: "Because nobody's there?"
Wilson: "Yeah, nobody's there."
