MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Christmas is just hours away, so for those who haven’t finished shopping, you’re almost out of time.
The holiday hustle can be felt at malls all across South Florida including Dolphin Mall, Dadeland Mall, and of course, Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise.
That’s because this holiday season, which was the shortest in more than a decade, created a backlog of shoppers. There were only 26 shopping days instead of 32.
Now, stores are packed with people trying to fill those holiday wish lists. The good news is that even if you’ve let time slip away, you should be in store for some great last minute bargains.
But there are conflicting reports on whether shoppers are spending more or less this holiday season.
According to the National Retail Federation, $602 billion dollars will be spent this holiday season.
Smart shopping will make up a good portion of that spending.
Mobile searches for store locations and gift ideas peak today, not black Friday.
It’s estimated 18-percent of holiday shopping will be done on mobile phones which is up from 12-percent last year.
Still most of the stuff you order online won’t be here in time.
Thus the holiday rush at the stores.
“The day is half over. You need to get to the mall ASAP because it’s going to get crazy later on,” said last minute shopper Javier Gonzalez.
“Get here now,” said last minute shopper Beverly Murilo. “Get here now before the traffic gets worse.”
Jorge Marcenco agreed. “I would be prepared to know what I’m buying and get in and get out.”
Some stores are planning to stay open until Christmas Eve to allow bargain hunters and procrastinators to finish their holiday shopping. Macy’s, Kmart, Target, and Kohl’s are staying open around the clock until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve for procrastinators in need of gifts. Then there’s always CVS and Walgreens.
Four of the busiest shopping days occur between December 20 and 24.
