Where are the Shoppers?
By Lynn Proctor
@ThankyouLord (698)
St. Petersburg, Florida
December 13, 2015 7:00pm CST
I went to a major mall in my area a few days ago, and was totally surprised. It was night time, and a good time for shoppers to be out. But the mall was really quite empty, and the major brand store I went into with my friend had one other customer in it. One. The workers were folding clothes, straightening racks and tables, and otherwise trying to look busy.
My friend wanted to get a pair of jeans, and eventually did so. I bought an item also, which was not a good purchase, but oh, well.
I mentioned to my friend that there didn't seem to be many shoppers out. She said they will come out as Christmas gets closer. She is probably right, as I noticed on Black Friday the same mall was so packed, you could not find a parking place in their tremendously huge parking lot.
Oh, spare me the Christmas craziness. Give me some turkey with cranberry sauce and a glass of wine, and a cinnamon scented candle. I will be fine.
18 people like this
18 responses
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Dec 15
Maybe people don't want to be where there are lots of people. I personally am avoiding crowds.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord I feel the same way, it is just scary to be in a crowd.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
I don't like malls. I never did. But these days, being in a mall or crowd of any kind takes on new meaning. Which means that I don't want to go to rallies, concerts or even movie theaters.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Dec 15
@LoriAMoore Manchester city centre is busy during weekdays as well as weekends.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
Christmas happens whether we shop or not. Thank you, Lord.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
14 Dec 15
A lot of people might be shopping online instead? It seems more and more people are doing that now. Of course it could be that people opted to go on Black Friday for the deals.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
14 Dec 15
@LoriAMoore
I was a little disappointed in my online shopping as one item was missing was Amazon.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
14 Dec 15
@LoriAMoore I don't feel so pressured to buy things whilst browsing online. It's when I am having to go to the stores that I spend the most!
2 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
There are probably more people in financial difficulty than let on, because they are embarrassed. Not me. When I'm out of money, I let everyone know, as I don't care. It is also a form of venting my fears/frustrations.
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
19 Dec 15
@marlina Brings to mind the title of an old song, "It Ain't Me, Babe."
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
14 Dec 15
They will be out there again it is the last minute shopping.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
15 Dec 15
@softbabe44
Yes there are more good options, thanks.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I have to admit I am a procrastinator. I have a valid reason for putting off shopping this year. Finances are very slim this year. Gifts are going to be what they can actually use or a meager gift card. I need to scrimp and save every penny to do this. Also, I make some of the gifts too.
My sister and I ventured out to Walmart on Black Friday, not to Christmas shop, but for necessities. The store was not buzzing like it was last year. It was odd.
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
That is odd, especially on Black Friday. That is the day retailers make much of their money. No fun with no money on Christmas, but it sounds like you have found some ways around it.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
16 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord where there is a will there is a way.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
15 Dec 15
I don't understand why people wait to the last minute to shop. When I did go shopping I started shopping early in the year so that I could avoid the hoards of people
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
That is the smart way to shop. I think lots of people do that. Or order things online when they are on sale instead of hoping they will be when Christmas comes.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
17 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord
Have you tried the online shopping yet, I haven't and not sure I would even want to.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
I think so, too. They even have online grocery shopping, but it's not cheap.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
18 Dec 15
@Marcyaz I can't afford shopping that's NOT online! I would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire! I have to cherry pick my groceries from local stores that have the best price.
1 person likes this
@zebra2222 (5269)
• United States
14 Dec 15
Shoppers have been less frequent since Black Friday.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
I guess they save up for that day, and then go back to their computers in the days following.
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
It is hard to judge what others are doing. I know that the brick and mortar shops struggle with on-site sales. All shops should be online, to keep up.
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
14 Dec 15
The mall near me has been super crowded. Parking is a pain, so I try to shop during the weekdays! 
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
Maybe you have a mall with great stores. I think a lot has to do with what stores are present. In the mall closest to me, it's pathetic. And it's a big mall, too.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11091)
• Calgary, Alberta
16 Dec 15
I shop mostly at Walmart. I also go to Value Village and army and navy if I need some work clothes.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
18 Dec 15
See? You're not as broke as you've been saying! All that shopping going on. 
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
16 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord I believe they do, if you've add in the set amount, when you register them. I'm in a tight budget this year and have to do it from my savings, since my checking is low. 
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
I didn't even know they made $5 gift cards. That's right up my alley!
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
14 Dec 15
We went to the mall thursday evening and it was busy but not as packed as t usually is. I'm sure this coming weekend it will be busy as it's the weekend before christmas. We our going shopping Friday so hopefully it's not too packed then.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
I think that this weekend will be the big hurrah. The weekend after Christmas should be a good yard sale day from people selling all the gifts they don't want.
@Missmwngi (12927)
• Nairobi, Kenya
19 Dec 15
Maybe come Christmas or some days before the place will be all full
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
16 Dec 15
So many sales after Christmas, but it is so hard to get enthused about Christmas shopping so soon after Christmas. However, the following Christmas, it is nice to have most of the presents there already, and at a great price.
