Let the shopping continue

[Times photo: Lance A. Rothstein]

Shoppers flock to Gulf View Square mall in New Port Richey on Thursday to make returns and check out deep discounts, a staple of post-Christmas shopping.

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 27, 2002

As bargain hunters take advantage of the after-Christmas sales, retailers open early and hope to cash in.

"Lots of bargains," she said as she perused the perfumes and cosmetics at the Zephyrhills Wal-Mart Superstore Thursday morning.

It was the day after Christmas and there were bargains galore.

Gant had her 4-year-old daughter, Jaylin, with her, and she was also on the receiving end of the shopping spree.

"I got her some items that she pitched a fit for," Gant said. "Plus I bought some last-minute belated Christmas presents for nieces and nephews."

[Times photo: Dan McDuffie]

Four-year-old Jaylin Gant of Dade City keeps watch over the goods Thursday as she and her mother, Amy, do some shopping at Wal-Mart in Zephyrhills. Among the things on their list were belated gifts, cosmetics and wrapping paper.

Although Wal-Mart opened at 6 a.m. Thursday, employee Pam Beckham said business started out slow and only picked up later in the morning.

"We used to open and there would be long lines right away," she said. "But this weekend we will be slammed."

At 11 a.m., there was no one at the refund desk.

"Giving gift cards for presents has relieved refunds," Beckham said.

Debbie Moritz of Crystal Springs had three carts stuffed with decorations and was buying more.

"I'll have four or five carts when I leave," she said. "I'm buying next year's Christmas lights, decorations and gifts."

Moritz said she has a five-bedroom house and decorates all of the rooms.

"There are some excellent bargains here," she said. "I'm going to save some money."

Some say as much as 10 percent of all retail sales during the holiday season take place after Christmas. But with slower preholiday sales this year, retailers are hoping for a higher percentage at the end of this week.

Walter Francis and his son, who is visiting from Baltimore, were doing their part to help.

"We are buying everything that Santa didn't bring," said the older Francis, who resides at the Crystal Lake Retirement Community.

At Walgreens in Wesley Chapel, Gloria Atwood was pleased with her purchases.

"I always buy my cards and wrapping paper for next year after Christmas," she said. "But there were other good bargains too."

Ken Nougaret, a Walgreens employee, said sales were slow even though all Christmas items were half price.

However, he said, "we have sold out (on) a few items."

And in west Pasco, the shoppers were out in force.

Tom Johnston, manager of JCPenney at Gulf View Square mall in Port Richey, estimated that 40 to 50 people were lined up outside the doors for the 7 a.m. opening. Rosemary Gmitter, the cashier supervisor at the nearby Target store, said she had to push her way past the crowd that gathered outside the doors at 7:45 a.m.

"It's been one of those days," Gmitter said. "Crazy.'

Said Johnston: "It's been a good day -- uneventful. The returns are coming in, they're about average."

And the good news was that most people seemed to be spending.

"There are no signs of a weak economy inside this store," Johnston said.

Over at Target, store manager Robbi Owens was also feeling optimistic.

"We're going full force," she said. "Sales are brisk with Christmas items and housewares. As I put it out, they're grabbing it off the shelf."

-- Staff writer Michele Miller contributed to this report.

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