Shoppers Hit Stores for After-Christmas Sales, Returns

Shoppers are returning to the stores Monday to take advantage of after-Christmas sales and to make returns and exchanges.

St. Andrews resident Frances Wooten was browsing in the reduced jewelry section at Belk in Monday morning. 

"I'm just getting out of the house because we had our Christmas early," Wooten said. "And nothing was open yesterday." 

Retailers are expecting many people to "just get out of the house" Monday. Because Christmas fell on a Sunday, many people have the day off of work.

About 57 percent of Americans said they plan to shop on the day after Christmas, according to an American Express survey. That's an increase from last year's 43 percent.

Major retailers like Best Buy, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Belk and JCPenney are advertising after-Christmas reductions online, in-store or both.

For shoppers who just need to return an unwanted gift, the South Carolina Better Business Bureau has some tips. 

• Know the store's return policy. Some stores have extended return periods after Christmas. Some limit their return periods to a week or two.

• Keep items in their original packaging. It may be required for a return.

• Take a receipt or gift receipt if you have it. If you don't have a receipt, you may only be able to get store credit. 

• You may want to wait until a few days after Christmas. Stores are likely to be crowded with shoppers returning items and taking advantage of after-Christmas sales. Make your returns at a time when the store isn't so crowded to avoid long lines.