Malls Are Packed For Returns, Gift Cards & Post-Christmas Deals

DENVER (CBS4) - Just as everyone thought holiday shopping was done, it's back to the mall.

Retailers say Dec. 26 is one of their busiest days of the year for a few of reasons – to use up gift cards, make returns, or just to get a good deal.

"I shop for Christmas year-round," shopper Sue Alexander said at Cherry Creek Mall.

"I did my returns and bought other clothes and saved money, actually," shopper Jay Rone said.

As many as 23 percent of all returns for the year happen after Christmas.

"What you usually see is they exchange something and/or layer in a gift card on top of that, and again try and take advantage of those great sales and offers," Dave Dixon with the Cherry Creek Shopping Center said.

More than $31 billion worth of gift cards were expected to be sold this year.

"We've got them in our wallets, we just haven't found anything to spend them on yet," Rone said.

As for the piles of snow outside, shoppers like David Alexander say it still wasn't enough to keep them away.

"Didn't bother me, roads are good, You know, if you can get here, that's all that matters," he said.

While it certainly looks like a successful shopping season, the final numbers won't be out until after the new year.