Watch CBS News

Big Crowds Expected For Holiday Shopping Returns

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Christmas Day may be over, but the holiday shopping season is still in full force. In fact, for many stores, this is the second busiest shopping day of the year.

Derek Valcourt has more on the post holiday spending spree.

Take lots of less than perfect presents and deep discounts in store shelves and retailers get the perfect combination for a busy day.

At the doors to most stores, as many people walking in with bags as those walking out.

When asked what brought them to the mall...

"I've got three teenagers and they're not too happy with some of the presents they got," said.

The National Retail Federation projects $65-billion worth of post-holiday returns or exchanges. Generally the same few reasons...

"I already have the same color."

"They're too big."

"They're too small."

Experts say it's best to come armed with receipts for stuff you don't want.

Each store has it's own return policy. Like many retailers, Columbia Mall's Sports Authority Elite is trying to make returns easy this year.

"They can exchange anything for store credit if they don't have a receipt," Misty Bank, S.A. Elite manager said.

While returns and gift cards are a huge part of the day, a lot of people come to the mall for the post Christmas sales.

The week after Christmas can account for as much as 10 to 15 percent of a store's holiday sales. That's why all the bargains are so big.

"JCPenney 50 percent off on certain things," Simone Johnson said.

Christmas may have passed quickly, but retailers say their deals won't be going away, at least for awhile.

"The busy shopping season will stretch into early January and once kids start to go back to school and college kids go back to school, we'll get a little bit softer, but it'll stay bust for awhile," Ashley Venable, Columbia Mall's senior general manager said.

If you're returning a gift, don't feel too bad. Last holiday shopping season, the National Retail Federation reports as many as one third of all gifts were returned or exchanged.

Fraudulent returns are a growing problem for retailers. Last year stores reported $3.4 million in bogus returns. That's why more stores are requiring to see a customer's identification when accepting returns.

Other Local News:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.