After Christmas hiatus, retailers ready for crowds

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
MIAMI -- YOU'VE GOT TODAY OFF WORK. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SPEND IT AT THE MALL?
"YOU'D THINK EVERYONE WOULD BE EXHAUSTED," SAID MARIA PRADO, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL MALL. "BUT FOR SOME REASON THE PROSPECT OF DEALS GIVES THEM A SECOND WIND."
SOUND FAMILIAR? JUST KNOW YOU WON'T EXACTLY BE LACKING IN COMPANY. DEC. 26 HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN ONE OF THE 10 BUSIEST SHOPPING DAYS OF THE YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS, A NEW YORK TRADE ORGANIZATION.
THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL MALL, FOR ONE, IS GIRDING FOR "FAIRLY HEAVY TRAFFIC" TODAY.
"THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS BRINGS OUT A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHOPPER," PRADO SAID. "YOU'VE NOT ONLY GOT THE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR SALES, BUT ADD TO THAT THE RETURNERS AND GIFT-CARD REDEEMERS."
SO WHILE YOU'RE SIFTING THROUGH THE CLEARANCE TABLE AT THE GAP, THERE'S A STRONG POSSIBILITY YOU'LL BE RUBBING ELBOWS (LITERALLY) WITH THE WOMAN WHO, JUST BACK FROM A WEIGHT LOSS SPA, NEGLECTED TO TELL PALS SHE'S NO LONGER A SIZE 12.
"PATIENCE REALLY IS A VIRTUE TODAY," SAID PRADO. "RETAILERS ARE GOING TO BE SHORT-TEMPERED IN A SENSE; RETURNS, BEING AN ADDED TRANSACTION, WILL MAKE LINES LONGER AND SLOWER."
(ATTENTION RETURNEES: HAVE YOUR RECEIPTS HANDY OR RISK SNEERS AND DEEP SIGHS.)
STILL WANT TO HEAD OUT THERE? IT COULD BE WORTH YOUR WHILE.
RETAILERS ARE LOOKING TO LIQUIDATE AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN TO MAKE ROOM FOR SPRING MERCHANDISE; CHANCES ARE, YOU'LL ENCOUNTER MARKDOWNS OF UP TO 60 PERCENT OFF.