Shoppers Flood Stores To Return Gifts, Use Gift Cards
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Stores were crowded on the Saturday after Christmas, but it was calm in the Tri-State Area.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, shoppers poured into stores this weekend, picking over discounted merchandise and using their gift cards.
All together, the shoppers extended the holiday merriment for merchants into the new year.
"What is there better to do than shop?" said Karen Mauro of Lynbrook.
Ami Schrager said her agenda Saturday night was "returning some gifts, buying some stuff; maybe a gingerbread house."
Returns are a huge part of post-holiday shopping. The National Retail Federation said 40 percent Americans return at least one holiday gift.
Meanwhile, the already-deep Discounts get even better. And that is a great thing for people with gift cards, thrilled to be getting more bang for the bucks.
"Toys 'R' Us and some Game Stop so I can just get more stuff for my PlayStation 4," said Luis Sandoval of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Of gift cards, he said, "They're better than anything."
The National Retail Federation estimates the industry racked up $31 billion in gift card sales this season.
And then there is all the retail activity you don't see -- away from the stores, online.
"It restored my faith in humanity, actually, because I don't have to deal with any crowds," said Baltimore tourist Elizabeth Smith.
Online Giant Amazon said its free shipping program Amazon Prime added 10 million new members during the holiday season.
The retailer says 60 percent of customers use mobile devices to place orders, and that the busiest day for Internet shopping this year was cyber Monday.
But retailers also complain nationwide the industry loses more than $3 billion in fraudulent returns this holiday week.
The final nationwide tally on holiday sales numbers will be available in the first few days of the new year.
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