Shoppers return to malls, looking for deals

Shoppers returned to malls Saturday, redeeming gift cards and rummaging through thinly stocked shelves hunting for deals, next year’s Christmas gifts and for most, gifts for themselves.

The deals were good as retailers made a push to woo shoppers by slashing prices and offering doorbuster deals often reserved for the day after Thanksgiving.

Knowing shoppers would likely spend less, merchants carefully managed inventory this Christmas. That meant on Dec. 26, some store shelves were practically empty.

Shoppers in Maryland visiting one J.C. Penney store say the selection looks “picked over.” But others say they’re finding good deals.

Last year, the week after Christmas accounted for about 15 percent of holiday sales, according to ShopperTrak.