Retailers dubbed the last Saturday before Christmas as Super Saturday, and with four days until Christmas, the National Retail Federation predicted that about 157 million people across the country would be shopping and completing their grocery lists.
In the Bay Area, light rain might have kept some shoppers at home. But not Mike Stok of Oakland.
He was at the Bay Street Mall in Emeryville to buy the last gift on his list.
“I’ve been thinking about finally coming here for weeks and physically buying the gift. Finally, taking care of that today,” said Stok, who was at an Apple Store looking for a new iPhone for his wife. “It’s on the technical side of the spectrum, as you can see here in the store I walk into. My wife is ready for an upgrade.”
“This is the start of our shopping trip. A little late for shopping, but exciting. It looks packed,” said shopper Ian Salmon, who was shopping at the Broadway Plaza shopping center in Walnut Creek.
Despite the rain, Broadway Plaza was busy.
“I like to do some online shopping and do big things. But I also like to come here and be with the crowds and have the holiday spirit,” said Patrick Courtney, who was shopping with his family.
Retailers say they need a strong holiday season to offset a slower January.
“We’re actually on budget, so it was a win,” said Courtney.
And it was a victory for Stok, because he was looking for a new phone for his wife.
“There is a certain relief. And I have a good feeling about the gifts I have received for people this year,” said Stok.
The National Retail Federation reported that among shoppers surveyed, about 50 percent of gifts purchased so far were clothing and accessories.
The second category is toys; 32 percent of shoppers said they had purchased toys. Gift cards came in third at 26 percent.
