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Returns, bargains in mind, shoppers descend -- again
By MICHELE MILLER, Times Staff Writer
PORT RICHEY -- By midafternoon Thursday, Carmelita Hernandez was well into her rounds. She already had been to Eckerd and Office Depot and now was standing in line at Target to return a Dragon Ball Z action figure. And there was still one more stop for returns at Walgreens. "Actually, the line isn't too bad," said a smiling Hernandez as she moved up a spot. Hazel Kessler stood in another line at Target along with her daughter, Cynthia. They were there to take advantage of the 50 percent off Christmas merchandise. Among the items in their shopping cart were wrapping paper, candy, white flowering bulbs and a Christmas dish. "We're shopping for next year but also getting some gifts that we forgot to give," Mrs. Kessler said. The day after Christmas is well-known in retail for two things: returns and discounts. Thursday there were plenty of both to be found in Pasco County. In the food court of Gulf View Square mall, Charles and Josephine Bonello were taking a breather from their shopping excursion. Usually the Bonellos avoid the stores the day after Christmas. But this year, a 25 percent added discount on already marked-down items brought them out. "With three children and grandchildren, we have a lot to buy for," said Mrs. Bonello, whose shopping cart was crammed full of bags from Burdines, Sears and JCPenney. "I already got seven gifts for next year," she said, pointing out the gold bracelet her husband bought her as an early birthday present. "Any time we go to the mall, it costs him money." Some of the folks who ventured out Thursday got an early start. Tom Johnston, manager of JCPenney, 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." But business wasn't booming early farther east in Pasco County. Although the Wal-Mart Superstore in Zephyrhills opened at 6 a.m., employee Pam Beckham said business started out slow and picked up only 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." Ken Nougaret, who works at the Walgreens in Wesley Chapel, said sales were slow even though all Christmas items were half price. However, he said, "We have sold out a few items." -- Times staff writer Michelle Jones contributed to this report.
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From today's Pasco Times |
