Shoppers flock to mall in search of bargains
BUTLER TWP — Some Butler County residents took advantage of post-Christmas deals on Thursday.
“I'm hoping things will be on sale,” said Wendy Bunney of Connoquenessing Township.
Bunney had just arrived with her grandchildren at the Clearview Mall. Her granddaughters wanted to get their ears pierced, so they stopped at Claire's first.
Bunney said she will be celebrating Christmas on Saturday, a new tradition since her children have grown and had children of their own.
“We're shopping for kids toys or anything kids,” she said. “It's all about my grandchildren.”
Bunney said their new tradition of celebrating the holiday late is beneficial in a number of ways. She said they take advantage of clearance sales, and her older grandchildren have more input in their gifts.
“They get older, and they like to pick out their own stuff,” she said.
According to a National Retail Federation survey, 68 percent of holiday shoppers will likely shop the week after Christmas.
According to the survey the top reasons people listed were post-holiday sales and promotions, at 49 percent, and using received gift cards, at 27 percent.
The survey also found that consumers between ages 18 to 24 are the most likely to shop the week after Christmas.
The survey also noted that more than half of shoppers say they will return or exchange any unwanted gifts or holiday items within the first month after receiving them, with most of those returns occurring in stores.
Luanne Walters of Clarion stopped with her daughter to through items at a novelty stand in the mall.Walters said her family had a few returns to make, but they also know some of the best sales come after Christmas.“There's a lot of half-off items,” she said.Walters said she bought a mini pool table at one of the stores. She said she also likes to check into Boscov's, Target and Kohls.“There's better shopping here in Butler than in Clarion,” Walters said.Mike Faddoul of Pittsburgh stopped to look at tables full of books, near the Books-A-Million store.He said he and his family take an annual trip to Splash Lagoon the weekend after Christmas, and he wanted to pick up some fresh reading material.But there were other reasons for their visit to the mall.“Today we're going to the trampoline park,” he said. “Also, I might stop to get a video game.”Faddoul said another tradition the family has is to buy a new ornament each year after Christmas to add to their tree for future holidays.“We like to get those Christmas ornaments with our names on them,” he said.While sales appeared to be a big factor for most people perusing stores on Thursday, some just wanted to take in the scene.Stan Dickey, a former Butler resident, walked slowly and intentionally along the mall's long corridors.He said he was in town visiting family and friends. He wanted to revisit places he remembered.“I haven't been up in Butler in 40 years,” Dickey said. “Everything has changed.”
