By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Retailers ushered in the post-Christmas shopping season yesterday by slashing prices on holiday items and stocking up on fresh merchandise. Many stores opened early to attract early-bird shoppers.
This year's holiday shopping season started out well for retailers with strong Black Friday sales. But sales figures dropped during the first two weeks of December. Retail analysts say mild temperatures may have depressed sales of winter coats and boots.
The analysts say sales rebounded in the days leading up to Christmas. They say merchants are hoping their December numbers will receive a boost this week by customers redeeming their gift cards.
Retailers did receive an unexpected gift yesterday. Weather forecasts throughout Christmas weekend were predicting several inches of snow, which could have deterred some shoppers from venturing out. But the snow never materialized.
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