Last-minute holiday shoppers hit the malls ahead of Christmas
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The clock is ticking for last-minute holiday shoppers! If you find yourself without gifts to put under the tree, you're not alone.
More than 140 million people are expected to crowd malls and shopping centers nationwide for Super Saturday, searching for that last-minute gift.
Eyewitness News reporter Lindsay Tuchman was in Herald Square Saturday morning, where she spoke with some families who were getting an early start to the anticipated rush.
"There's always last-minute shopping to be done," said one shopper. "No matter how well you plan, a couple days before you're still trying to get those last-minute things."
According to the National Retail Federation, 149.1 million people plan to shop in person Saturday, which is a 10.5% drop from last year's record of 158.5 million people.
Super Saturday is typically the second biggest in-person shopping event compared to Black Friday, which is the biggest one of the year.
Retailers are expected to have deals to lure in shoppers who've been waiting for the best deals, or who didn't have the time or the urge to wrap up gift-buying early.
Eyewitness News reporter Darla Miles was at Paramus Park Mall on Friday, where many pet owners were attempting to beat the last-minute panic of Super Saturday.
Alyssa Criscullo shopped with her two dogs: Mazy, and her cousin Bear.
"They're part of the family. We want them there with us," she said.
Less than three days before Christmas, the pooches are not feeling the sense of urgency their pet parents feel.
"We're in and out today. We're going home," said holiday shopper Michelle Vilardo.
She brought along her dog, who she says comes with the family everywhere.
Meanwhile, Angelina Verano was on the hunt for clothes and shoes.
"We're trying to hurry up and get the gifts ready for my cousins and everything," she said.
Some shoppers even got their last-minute photo-ops with Santa.
"We've been friends for like 10 years and we're graduating this year and we just thought why not take a picture with Santa for the holidays," said Ridgewood High School senior Dylan O'Doherty.
Stew Leonard, the owner of Stew Leonard's Grocery, says he loves having the mall next door.
"You have Chick-Fil-A, Macy's is right next door, Uniqlo is over there, I jump in and grab a couple things every once in a while," he said. "Today we're really jumping. We'll probably see in this Paramus store about 15 to 20,000 people coming through."
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