Omar Pariz came to Fox Valley Mall in Aurora Thursday morning where hundreds were already darting in and out of stores looking for post-Christmas deals.
“I came to the mall to cash in a couple of gift cards,” said the Aurora resident. “I often do come after Christmas in order to take advantage of the sales on merchandise. I know I’m going to get some good deals. I know that now and a couple of days after this there are bargains, but you have to come within a few days after Christmas or they’re gone.”
Dec. 26 begins the post-Christmas shopping frenzy as shoppers fresh from their Christmas haul flock to Aurora area malls and stand-alone stores in search of post-holiday discounts as well as to spend holiday cash or gift cards.
Those returning merchandise are likewise exposed to “upselling” by retailers hoping shoppers will leave with more than they came with that day.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is often called “the 13th month” for retailers due to the crush of shoppers.
Kristie McCabe of Yorkville said she knows “all about the 13th month” and that shopping after Christmas is something that she always does.
“I always hit the sales. I know a lot of people cash in gift cards and return things. We’re lucky this year as we’re returning just one thing,” Kristie said as she and her daughter Anna, 17, shopped Thursday at Fox Valley Mall. “This is about going out with my daughter as well. We’re also going to hit a clothing store for her later.”
“I’m expecting to find some good deals,” Anna McCabe said. “I know a lot of stores have better deals after Christmas. I know there are usually 50% to 75% off at a lot of places and I have some Christmas money to spend too.”
John Zuckerman also took advantage of shopping deals at Fox Valley Mall on Thursday and said he understands the difference when it comes to shopping after Christmas in person as opposed to “the point and click of online shopping.”
More Top Picks Best Gasless Mig Welders For Beginners
“My wife is originally from this area, but we’ve actually been living in Vienna, Austria, for about 10 years,” he said. “We get home every couple of years, and my daughter Elena came to exchange something.”
“When we lived in the States, I never went too crazy with after-Christmas shopping, but I know it’s a ritual,” he said. “The internet shopping is kind of frictionless but this is full-contact.”
In St. Charles, Kat Drury of Geneva went to the Target store at 3885 E. Main St. on Thursday and looked at some Christmas decorations and other items being offered at a discount.
“I’m looking for deals for things we can use next year. Sure, we’re all about that,” Drury explained and she and her daughter Tatum checked out some merchandise. “We also have a birthday for my husband on the 27th of December, so we’re kind of doing two things at once.”
Tatum Drury of Galva, Illinois, said she is a teacher who was looking to buy classroom supplies and that, for her, “whatever’s cheap, I’m finding it.”
“I’m seeing what I can use in the classroom,” she said. “There is definitely some deliberateness for me. I know things will be cheaper after Christmas, so I wait until now to go out.”
For some shoppers like Shawn Cassidy of Aurora, necessity trumps all other reasons for post-Christmas shopping.
Cassidy stopped at the Best Buy store at 4400 E. New York St. in Aurora Thursday morning to replace something that broke.
“My TV died. I need to find another,” he said. “I wasn’t really looking for a deal. I was looking to get a replacement because mine stopped working. This is just a need and that’s why I’m here. Hopefully I’m getting a better deal than I might have before the holidays.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.