Shoppers Make Last Minute Push For Gifts

By Chris Wright, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Shoppers were out in force all day Tuesday, clogging the roads and shopping centers.

This is supposed to be one of the worst Christmas shopping seasons for retailers in decades, but walking around places like the Promenade, you wouldn't know it.

The Promenade was packed with people Tuesday, some of whom eagerly put in last-minute requests to Santa.

"I wanted a Nintendo DS.  He said he'll try to get it," said one person.

And others who were less excited about the experience.

"Having a hard time finding some of the gifts that we are after.  So we're having to call over looking for them, and it gets to be a real headache," said another person.

It's a headache retailers welcome, especially this year.

According to a retail trade group, holiday sales will be even worse than first expected. They are expected to drop as much as two percent nationwide when compared to 2007.

That would be the worst decline in four decades, but the retailers at the mall, from the florists to the candy-makers, say they have yet to feel the effects of the recession.

"I'm not seeing much evidence of people slowing down.  Well, no matter how poor we are, we're going to buy candy and nuts," said Phyllis Madison of the The Nut Hut.

"We have not had a problem, the 7.99 product up to the 34, $50 product.  So I think it's still real good," said Vicki Bauman of Homeland Floral.

Shoppers stuck battling traffic both outside and inside the mall agree, and for one day at least, say they are not worried about the economy.

"In Promenade Mall, there is no slowdown in the economy.  Maybe in other malls, but not in Promenade, at least not today there isn't," said one shopper.

And as bad as Tuesday may have been out there, you can expect Wednesday to be even worse.