• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Architect Wants To Save Mellon Arena
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Holiday Shoppers Get To Malls, Hunt For Bargains

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Dec 21, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern

Holiday Shoppers Get To Malls, Hunt For Bargains

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Christmas is four days away, Hanukkah starts tonight, and that means last-minute shoppers are running out of time to find the perfect gift for their friends and loved ones.

Because this is the last weekend before Christmas it's considered a make or break time for retailers.

Meanwhile, armed with cash, credit cards and Christmas lists, shoppers were out in numbers at the local malls today looking for bargains.

Many consumers got an early start at the Mall of Robinson, including local resident Jason Liggett, who was just getting started on a long gift list.

"My mom, my girlfriend, dad, brother, friends, my gram," he told KDKA.

Money is key issue for most people. With the recent economic struggles, some say they won't be doing as much free spending as in previous years.

"There's still going to be presents under the tree, but a lot of practical things, things we wear," said shopper Dan Bonk. "There's going to be more socks and things like that, but probably the big ticket items we've cut back on."

"We are spending a little bit less," said another shopper Janelle Hayes. "My family's doing a Secret Santa so were buying for individuals instead of the whole entire group which is good because money is a little tight for everybody right now."

Even some stores selling popular Steelers merchandise are feeling the pinch. But just like football, the holiday shopping season is not over yet.

"It doesn't seem like they're buying as much as they did last year," said sales clerk, Lori Gregory, "but I think because of the excitement about the Steelers season, and the Penguins are doing well, people are still buying because there's a lot of sports fans out there."

Meanwhile, a newly expanded store at the Mall at Robinson figured out a way to attract hundreds of holiday shoppers, Forever21 advertised free gift cards for the first 200 customers.

"I know that the economy is bad right now, but that's the best part about Forever21 … the clothes are a great bargain for the price, it's very fashion-forward and you come in here you're going to get a good deal," said store manager, Sohmer Solosky.

And another shopper, Patty Youschak, said she came to the mall with coupons because she is watching her dollars.

"[I'm] not buying on a whim, more practical items, looking for deals, and there's a lot out there," said Youschak.

Even though shoppers are watching their spending, there is one person who will be extremely busy on Christmas Eve.

"From my standpoint, as we always say Santa will see what Santa can do. There's no promises, it all depends on what's going to be able to fit into the sleigh," said the jolly, old elf himself. 


(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Local News

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.