The gift clock is ticking

This is the time for all those hardy, last-minute shoppers to show what they're truly made of

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

PEORIA, IL - Kent Scholler isn't the type of guy to rush into Christmas shopping.

He doesn't have a shopping list and he still hasn't decided what to get his wife for Christmas.

"I just walk around trying to get some ideas and then I buy it," said the 51-year-old Peoria resident as he wandered The Shoppes at Grand Prairie on a recent weekday. "Usually it ends up being jewelry for my wife. That's always a sure bet."

Scholler said he most likely will be one of the stragglers at the stores at the last minute on Christmas Eve to finish his shopping. "I just hate to shop so I put it off until the very bitter end," he quipped.

Scholler isn't alone. As the countdown to Christmas winds down, scores of shoppers are expected to hit the stores this week to finish, or in some cases start, Christmas shopping.

"Last-minute shopping is as much a part of the holiday season as gift wrap and big bows," said Melissa Severin, a retail expert with ShopLocal.com, a Web shopping company for consumers and retailers.

In fact, last year, the Saturday before Christmas was the single busiest shopping day of the year, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. This year, with Christmas Eve on Saturday - the first time since 1994 - and Hanukkah later than usual, starting Dec. 25, these factors are expected to accentuate last-minute shopping, said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist with the Council of Shopping Centers.

Retailers are relying on procrastinators again during the final days before Christmas as this past weekend's sales appeared robust but not spectacular, despite generous bargains for many goods, according to recent reports.

Business and traffic are up at Northwoods Mall this season, especially since a new interchange with Interstate 74 at Sterling Avenue opened this fall and the mall was remodeled with a food court, said Bob Schertz, the mall's marketing director. More crowds are expected this week as the holiday inches closer, he said.

"The last week is big business," he said. "I've been talking to people out in the mall and they say they're off from now until Christmas so they're out shopping. Also, when people from Caterpillar (Inc.) go on vacation, we'll be seeing a lot more people out shopping."

Schertz said he's seeing an equal mix of men and women as last-minute shoppers, but he said he sees more men venturing out at the very last minute on Christmas Eve.

The $6.5 million renovation of Northwoods Mall and new freeway access helped boost sales for mall retailers like JC Penney, said store manager Tom Tour. With a new food court, shoppers don't leave the mall for lunch, he said.

"They stay longer," he said.

Shoppers are picking up anything related to energy savings, from heated mattress pads to comforters and fleece coats, Tour said. "Anything that helps keep the heating bill down they're buying."

Home improvement items also are big this year, he said, with the store's drapery section reporting big sales. "People are buying things to make their home better; draperies had an unbelievable year," Tour said.

Sales also are up so far this year at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, with many shoppers out this week looking for last-minute deals, said Chuck Boysen, director of marketing for Cullinan Properties Ltd., the developer of The Shoppes.

"We're seeing considerably more foot traffic; we haven't measured that from research, but we can tell from retailers and our own observations that traffic is up," he said. "Retailers have conditioned the public to anticipate last-minute deals."

Shoppers aren't forgetting their furry friends either. At My Dog's Bakery at the Metro Centre, toys and homemade treats in the shape of decorated Christmas trees are big sellers this year, said Debbie Ford, co-owner of My Dog's Bakery.

"The homemade treats make great last-minute gifts for dogs," she said.

K's Merchandise in Peoria also expects big last-minute crowds this week, said store manager Jeff Wolff.

"Jewelry is always a popular last-minute item for us," he said. "It's the place where a lot of guys gravitate to immediately at the last minute."

Scott Winsley, 29, of Peoria was found checking out rings at K's Merchandise on a recent weekday. "My girlfriend loves rings, but I probably won't buy anything until after I get paid (this) Friday, when I have some more money," Winsley said.

At the Target store in Peoria, sales from this past weekend are expected to be the biggest next to the day after Thanksgiving, said store manager Joe Duncan. The store has been consistently packed this season and Duncan said he expects a big crowd of last-minute shoppers snatching up everything from electronics to toys.

"iPods for kids this year are really big, and as soon as we get in Xbox 360s, they're gone," Duncan said.

So as the clock ticks closer to the big day, what are some tips from experts on how to shop at the last minute? The Internet is a big help, as a variety of Web sites offer scores of tips to overcome any last-minute obstacles.

AskMen.com offers ideas depending on how much time you have left for shopping. If you have an entire day to shop, maximize your time by making a list of all gift recipients and what sort of gift would be appropriate, the Web site states. Devise a plan with possible stores lined up for each gift idea and shop in order of priority.

If you have two to six hours left, AskMen.com said the best bet would be to hit the nearest mall. Come crunch time, a mall offers a variety of gift options, despite long lines and crowds.

If you have one hour left, head to department and chain stores like Wal-Mart, Target or JC Penney to complete all of your shopping in a single store.

Other tips from the National Retail Federation:

- Take advantage of extended shopping hours, such as during the late evening, when crowds are thinner.

- Look for pre-packaged gifts, such as ready-made gift baskets.

- Check out online retailers that have last-minute gift ideas, such as Yahoo Shopping's Gift Center, which features a variety of last-minute gifts.

- Consider gift cards, which have soared in popularity with both gift givers and receivers.

Anita Szoke can be reached at 686-3248 or aszoke@pjstar.com.