LAST-MINUTE BARGAINS MALLS JAMMED AS HOLIDAY NEARS.Byline: Jesse Hiestand Staff Writer Expect a knock-down, drag-out fight at the malls this weekend: Stores are knocking down prices in hopes of dragging out more customers as they fight to save a lackluster lack·lus·ter adj. Lacking brightness, luster, or vitality; dull. See Synonyms at dull. Adj. 1. lackluster - lacking brilliance or vitality; "a dull lackluster life"; "a lusterless performance" holiday retail season. ``From what we found out from the consumers we surveyed, the stores and malls will be very crowded this weekend,'' said Tom Sclafanni, a consumer surveyor with American Express American Express (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as "AmEx" or "Amex", is a diversified global financial services company, headquartered in New York City. The company is best known for its credit card, charge card and traveler's cheque businesses. . ``More than half of shoppers will be finishing up their shopping. We're seeing a lot more people than last year.'' Stores have extended hours, slashed slash v. slashed, slash·ing, slash·es v.tr. 1. To cut or form by cutting with forceful sweeping strokes: slash a path through the underbrush. 2. prices and sent out a flurry Flurry A drastic volume increase in a specific security. of coupons to squeeze a respectable season out of this final weekend before Christmas. For last-minute shoppers like Karin Lebovic, the payoff is a multitude of bargains. ``There's good prices now,'' said Lebovic, 17, a high school senior from Northridge as she left Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga on Friday with a shirt for her little brother. Originally $40, the shirt was marked down to $7. Karen Sotack also found plenty of potential gifts at up to 50 percent off. Like others, she saw great deals in apparel, getting two long-sleeve shirts for $30, down from $53. ``I just always run out of time - I need 13 months in the year for shopping,'' said Sotack, 50, an accountant from Moorpark, after shopping at the mall on her lunch break. ``I'm going to try to finish up today but I might be out tomorrow.'' That's what retailers are hoping for. Topanga Plaza spokeswoman Janine Baker said business has been picking up steadily this week and mall officials are counting on the weekend before Christmas being the busiest of the year, as it is traditionally. ``Given the proximity to Christmas and Hanukkah, shoppers are actually motivated to make their purchases,'' Baker said. Mary Smith, a 46-year-old secretary from Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , hit the mall for some last-minute gifts and was surprised at the discounts. ``There are a lot of bargains - some of the stuff I wished I had waited to buy,'' said Smith, adding she saw the best deals in apparel, shoes and at the small toy and gift vendors who set up just for the season. ``It seemed like everything was real crowded around Thanksgiving Thanksgiving annual U.S. holiday celebrating harvest and yearly blessings; originated with Pilgrims (1621). [Am. Culture: EB, IX: 922] See : America Thanksgiving national holiday with luxurious dinner as chief ritual. [Am. Pop. and then it just slowed down, but this weekend it's busy, busy, busy again.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Hordes Hordes may refer to:
(2 -- color) Faced by a window filled with shining crystal, this shopper had trouble deciding which would make the perfect gift. To attract last-minute shoppers, many retailers are issuing coupons and staying open later than usual to boost pre-holiday sales. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer Box: HOLIDAY HOURS Stores have extended their hours to lure lure the skin-covered object which runs on a monorail on a Greyhound racing track and which the dogs are schooled to chase. The lure must be kept 30 to 40 ft ahead of the leading dog so that the field is stretched out. last-minute shoppers SOURCE: Daily News research |
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