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The mad dash: some retailers extend their Christmas Eve shopping hours

Photo by Akil SimmonsShopping, wrapping, waiting: Stacy Grant along with members from the North Village Netball team wrap gifts inside a busy Washington Mall yesterday afternoon as part of fundraiser. Many stores were open Sunday for last-minute shoppers.

Shoppers have one last day to complete their holiday buying.Retailers are pulling out all the stops offering discounts and extended hours to lure last-minute shoppers through their doors.Christmas Eve is also the day that the men come out to shop, says one store owner.“The 24th is, for sure, the day when men come out,” said George Grundmuller, president and CEO of the Phoenix Stores.“In the greeting card aisle we will be three to five people deep, mostly men looking for a card for their wives and/or loved ones.”The Phoenix, Annex Toys and Brown & Co will be open until 7pm today.Another retailer said that since the general election early last week, people have really started to focus on shopping though cash-strapped customers are still looking for a good deal.“The economy is still playing a major role in spending and people are looking for quality merchandise at discounted prices,” said a spokesperson from the TESS Group of companies, which comprises of LUSSO, Cecile, The English Sports Shop, Boutique CC, Jeans Express and The New Outlet Store.“One could say price is the determining factor to buy or not to buy.”“The customer who is who is looking for a bargain as money is tight will find great bargains at The New Outlet store,” he added. “This store is doing very well and stocks are starting to get low.“A lot of the items are over 80 percent off the original retail price.”The TESS Group will close at 5:30pm today but be on the look out for sales starting on Monday, December 31 where “there will great bargains for the after-Christmas shopper with up to 50 percent off.”Those still shopping for children will today find 40 percent off toys at Daisy and Mac, which is open until 5pm.This sale follows their weekend sale of up to 75 percent off storewide at both Daisy and Mac and clothing shop Daisy’s.Check the social media site, Facebook, for a 20 percent discount coupon at hardware and home goods store, Gorham’s. The coupon can be used for one item up to a $300 value. Today’s coupon is on Gorham’s Facebook page and can be printed out at home.Christmas decorations at Gorham’s are also now down to 75 percent off as well.Another hardware store, SAL Trading, is holding a 25 percent off sale of paint supplies and holiday tree decorations.Bulk store PriceRite has seen strong sales thus far in toys, holiday related items, dishes, small appliances and food as well.“Customers are very price sensitive in this economy and are taking advantage of our deals,” said a spokesperson for the company.Sears, on Victoria Street, which is also part of the MarketPlace family of stores has done a brisk business in the lead up to Christmas.“Sears has seen an overwhelming response on large appliances, as customers take advantage of the Season to replace those old ones,” said a spokesperson.“The sales have been so strong we have replacement containers just arriving to replenish the inventory. Sears also has done well with tools, sporting goods and bedroom accessories.”Both stores will be open until 7pm tonight.Even the booze industry is getting into the holiday spirit — Discovery Wines is having a discount on particular brands of rose, sauvignon blanc and Malbec, up to 40 percent in some cases. M Soares & Son on Spanish Point Road is having 10 percent off all liquor today and is open until 8pm.The Gibbons Company stores, including Nine West, will all be open today from 9:30am to 6pm. And AS Cooper’s is open 8:30am until 5pm.