Millions of last-minute shoppers are expected to flood stores this weekend, making it the busiest shopping period of the season as they aim to complete their holiday gift lists just days before Christmas.”The weekend before Christmas is the busiest,” said Maya Friedman from Marketplace Bliss. “I feel like there are a lot of people out there who wait till the last minute. Extra families coming to town that you didn’t know or more gifts that you have to buy, so people are really out there shopping right now.”The National Retail Federation estimates that nearly 159 million people will be doing their last-minute shopping this weekend, providing a much-needed boost to small business owners.Shopper Mikenna Coleman made it a point to support local businesses this season. “We wanted to look at all the shops and shop a little local and look at all the mostly home decor and the ornaments,” Coleman said.After a challenging year with tariffs impacting profits, business owners report a strong November and an even better December as shoppers rush in for last-minute gifts. “You’re not supporting just the business, like Target. You’re supporting a family,” said Sylamphay Forget from Sisu, a boutique in East Sacramento. “We have kids. It’s how we make our money, and we’re part of the community.”Saturday is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the season, with long lines anticipated everywhere, from local shoppers to visitors who waited until they arrived in Sacramento. “It’s super busy,” Forget noted. “A lot of last-minute guests are traveling in from other cities. They come in, and they didn’t get a chance to go shopping. Just last-minute come to the small businesses, which is great.”For business owners, this final weekend is about more than just sales; it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impression. “It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind gift,” Friedman said. “You’re not going to find this at a big box store. You’re going to find something that’s original, unique, you can’t get it anywhere else, so I think that’s really special.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Millions of last-minute shoppers are expected to flood stores this weekend, making it the busiest shopping period of the season as they aim to complete their holiday gift lists just days before Christmas.
“The weekend before Christmas is the busiest,” said Maya Friedman from Marketplace Bliss. “I feel like there are a lot of people out there who wait till the last minute. Extra families coming to town that you didn’t know or more gifts that you have to buy, so people are really out there shopping right now.”
The National Retail Federation estimates that nearly 159 million people will be doing their last-minute shopping this weekend, providing a much-needed boost to small business owners.
Shopper Mikenna Coleman made it a point to support local businesses this season.
“We wanted to look at all the shops and shop a little local and look at all the mostly home decor and the ornaments,” Coleman said.
After a challenging year with tariffs impacting profits, business owners report a strong November and an even better December as shoppers rush in for last-minute gifts.
“You’re not supporting just the business, like Target. You’re supporting a family,” said Sylamphay Forget from Sisu, a boutique in East Sacramento. “We have kids. It’s how we make our money, and we’re part of the community.”
Saturday is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the season, with long lines anticipated everywhere, from local shoppers to visitors who waited until they arrived in Sacramento.
“It’s super busy,” Forget noted. “A lot of last-minute guests are traveling in from other cities. They come in, and they didn’t get a chance to go shopping. Just last-minute come to the small businesses, which is great.”
For business owners, this final weekend is about more than just sales; it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impression.
“It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind gift,” Friedman said. “You’re not going to find this at a big box store. You’re going to find something that’s original, unique, you can’t get it anywhere else, so I think that’s really special.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel