ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – More than 150 million people in the United States flooded stores the Saturday before Christmas, making it a hopeful day for retailers including in Rockford
This is because it’s ‘Super Saturday’; the chance for consumers to get in their last-minute holiday shopping and retailers to add to their bottom line.
The National Retail Federation says Saturday is expected to be the second busiest day for retailers since 2016, with 31% of consumers expected to ‘shop till they drop’.
“This is a really fun Saturday for us, and we always look forward to it, the week leading up to Christmas is always crazy, fun, and festive,” says Brandi Jones, the owner of B Jones. “We definitely see more people in and out of the store for sure.”
More than 150 million people shopping in the United States the Saturday before Christmas is a 10% increase from 2023.
“I just feel like it’s just a last-minute kind of everything, people are looking for sisters, wives, friends, grandmas, there’s a little bit of everything so it’s fun,” says Jones.
“It’s one of the busiest days of the year whether we are having an event or not,” says Stephanie Mains, the owner of Synergy Collective. “We have so many different items and collective things at the store. Every time people come in, they find new stuff. So, there’s been a lot of gift shopping and then a one for them, one for me.”
Area shoppers didn’t seem to mind the hustle and bustle around them, keeping their focus on the perfect gifts.
“A bunch of traffic out there so you know everyone is doing their last-minute shopping. Everyone’s over everywhere, I just like coming out to smaller businesses to support them and I feel like that’s where we should be all at,” says shopper Devin Syavong.
24% of shoppers were likely to do their Super Saturday shopping online. But customers we spoke with said storefront shopping offers a better experience.
“I love browsing, so I love seeing things just you know, getting a feel of like what I’m buying, what’s out there,” says shopper Kiteya Syavong. “It’s something to just you know get out there, shop, and just even the quality time, it doesn’t have to be like you’re shopping for real.”
In a survey done by the National Retail Federation, shoppers have been waiting for ‘Super Saturday’ because they are still figuring out what to buy, financial priorities, or waiting for family and friends to tell them what they wanted.
It also says 70% of consumers plan to shop the week directly after Christmas Day to take advantage of post-holiday markdowns.
Copyright 2024 WIFR. All rights reserved.