Buyers, merchants reach crunch time

A transit strike hurt some local stores, but not chains.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Shoppers -- some holding out for the best deals, others just not inspired to shop earlier -- headed for the nation's malls and stores for last-minute gifts like perfume and jewelry as well as gift cards Saturday.
With shoppers delaying their holiday shopping longer than last year, merchants are depending more heavily on the final hours before Christmas and post-holiday business to salvage the season. The exceptions have been online shopping, sellers of consumer electronics, and luxury stores, which have continued to generate strong gains.
A longer season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a late Hanukkah and the lack of must-have items, except for gadgets like Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360, flat-screen TVs and Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital music player, have helped consumers prolong their shopping.
Meanwhile, merchants with a big presence in New York City, such as Saks Inc. and Bloomingdale's and Macy's parent, Federated Department Stores Inc., were hit by a three-day transit strike that left commuters too tired to shop.
"I've been down here since 8 a.m. and this is all we came back with," said Lachaun Brooks of New York, pointing to two bags of merchandise. She noted that the strike kept her from shopping. "It was just a horrible time for them to have picked to go on strike. It just wasn't fair."
Michael Gould, chairman of Bloomingdale's, said the flagship would not be able to recoup lost sales but the impact on the overall Bloomingdale's chain would be minimal. However, Saks Inc., which operates Saks Fifth Avenue here, could take a bigger hit, analysts said.
"We are having a good day," said Kathleen Waugh, a spokeswoman at Toys "R" Us, Inc. She too noted that the company's flagship store won't be able to make up for lost sales from the strike. But she said the strike had a negligible impact on sales for the overall chain, and expects the company to meet holiday sales goals.
Those who opt to put it off
For plenty of national chains far from New York City, it was also a last-minute waiting game.
"We are seeing nice traffic up to the last minute. We think [the holiday season] is going right down to the wire," said Gail Lavielle, a spokeswoman at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which confirmed Saturday its December sales growth forecast of 2 percent to 4 percent. The estimate is based on same-store sales, or sales at stores opened at least a year.
Lavielle added that there are more procastinators out there.
"This is the first time I am doing last-minute shopping," said Julie Hess of West Hartford, Conn., who was at the Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, Conn. "I guess it just slipped away from me this year."
For others it was just an annual ritual, particularly for men.
"I do it every year -- it's tradition, no sense in shopping early," said Cross Cruise of Narragansett, R.I., who was at Providence Place. He was carrying a bag from teen retailer Abercrombie & amp; Fitch Co. that included clothes for himself. He had no idea what he would buy for others.
But holding out had plenty of upside -- there were generous deals.
"I'm hoping to catch sales, and I know the stores are open," said Lillian Frazier, of Baltimore, who was shopping at a Kmart. "I know I can beat the rush hour and try to catch some bargains."
At the South Park Mall in Charlotte N.C., David Hood was buying a gift card for his wife. He said that he has given her gifts for their anniversary and her birthday this month.
"There's only so much practical, useful stuff you can get," he added.
But procrastinating carries big risks.
Sue Johnson of Charlotte, who also was at the South Park Mall, was hunting for an iPod digital music player for an exchange student, but was having no luck.
"I've looked at a couple of places, Target and those places, but they're sold out," she said. "So, I'm going to the Apple store here."
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