Shoppers and retailers pursue the same holiday goal: Sales!

Times Staff

With Christmas just a week away, many shoppers are taking advantage of sales at local retailers to complete last minute holiday buying.

Belk manager Ken Rice reports that sales at his store have been brisk this week, and will only increase as Christmas Eve approaches.

"The trend is toward big shopping the week before Christmas," Rice said.

To handle the holiday

rush, Belk is offering customers' extended store hours. The retailer won't close until 10 p.m. during the week, and will stay open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It will also open at 7 a.m. on Dec. 23 and 24.

"We're having a holiday shopping spree sale Wednesday and Thursday, and early bird specials on Saturday. There will be special coupons in the paper for the shopping spree, as well as for this weekend," Rice said. "It's nothing but sales, sales, sales until Christmas."

Other retailers in Thomaston also report that buying is brisk this year. Tanna Phipps at The Bishop's Chair was ordering additional holiday merchandise last week - items which are already being picked up by shoppers this week. The same is true for other businesses in Thomaston.

Shopper Diane Thompson, who was at Belk Tuesday picking up some last minute gifts for her family, says she thinks local stores have had better sales this year, good news for those hoping to have a nice holiday without breaking the bank.

"I've spent less this year," Thompson said. "I try to catch all of the sales."

Store employee Lakendra Green says the store has been so crowded lately, she hasn't had a moment to rest.

"Usually Monday and Tuesday are the days we restock from the weekend and gear up for sales later in the week," Green said. "But this year, it's been so busy every day ... My legs hurt so bad right now, I just want to go to sleep somewhere."

Green says most shoppers this year have been bargain shoppers, hitting the store first thing in the morning for doorbuster sales and bringing in coupons to save even more.

"Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to noon - that's when people shop," Green said. "We have people standing outside waiting when I get here at 6:50 a.m."

The Belk gift wrapping department was particularly busy Tuesday, with many shoppers taking advantage of the free service.

"See how I've aged since I've been here," joked Dr. Tom Cotney, who was waiting in line to have his Christmas presents wrapped. "I had brown hair when I came in today," he said as he pointed to his head of gray hair. Still, he assured those around him he wasn't complaining about the service.

While most shoppers said they just had a few more gifts to buy, Sam Goody employee Adam Green said he has yet to buy a single Christmas present.

"I'm giving some homemade presents this year," Green said as he stocked DVDs at the store. "And of course, I'll be buying most of my other gifts here to take advantage of my employee discount."

Shoppers at Sam Goody Tuesday were looking at a wide variety of gifts. Upson-Lee High School junior Monisha Carter was buying a CD to give to the National Honor Society's Empty Stocking Family, while music fan Michael Harris was choosing a guitar for himself.

"I have some other presents to buy tomorrow, but today it's just for me," Harris said, while trying out one of the store's electric guitars. "I do a lot of my shopping here because they keep their selections current and have a good variety of music."

Despite the many presents people are looking for this year, local shoppers do agree on one thing - they want a good sale.

"Today I'm just looking at what's on sale," said shopper Marsha McKelsey. "I'm shopping smart this year."