Last-minute shoppers dash to Woodfield Mall before Christmas
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Santa’s helpers aren’t the only ones hustling this Christmas Eve. Shoppers at Woodfield Mall were racing against the clock to grab those last-minute gifts.
Woodfield Mall opened its doors early at 8 a.m. to accommodate the holiday rush, giving shoppers ample time to check off their lists. But as closing time approached, the pressure was on. Most stores closed at 6 p.m., with a few exceptions like Macy’s, which stayed open until 7 p.m.
"Go shopping more, more shopping," said Lawanna Caruthers, who ventured to the mall to shop for loved ones.
"I ordered it today because I wait until the last-minute," said Anna Sponsel, shopper.
"Very last-minute shopping, just trying to get a few more gifts for her," said Arben Ballazhi, mallgoer.
According to spokesperson for Woodfield Mall, Christmas Eve shopping traffic is slightly down this year, largely due to Thanksgiving falling later in November. The shift led to higher Black Friday traffic and fewer last-minute buyers.
Still, plenty of people waited until the countdown was on to shop—scrambling to stuff those stockings and get presents under the tree.
"The parking lot was crazy," said Diana Nguyen, mallgoer.
Others were there to point their loved ones in the right direction.
"This is for me, baby, them kids is done, this is all me now!" said Kelly Cobb. "Put it right under the tree."
Despite the drop in numbers, the big-ticket items for procrastinators remain consistent: Jewelry, cosmetics, and tech gadgets are among the most popular purchases.
According to the National Retail Federation, holiday sales are expected to grow between 2.5 and 3.5 percent over last year.
"We were just talking about this. One, it’s been a really long time since we’ve been in a mall, and it’s a lot busier than I expected, which is good, it’s a good busy," said Peter Cho.
Busy and bustling—before there's a chance to relax on a holiday to cherish time spent together.
"Being around enjoying the festivities of life, being with this special person I’ve got, just being blessed, life is wonderful," said Michael Champion.
As for Christmas Day, some grocery and convenience stores will be open with limited hours, including Tony’s Fresh Market, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and Walgreens. Shoppers are encouraged to check with their local stores before making the trip.