Shoppers Cash In Gift Cards For ‘Mega Monday’

Retailers are optimistically calling the day after Christmas, “Mega Monday”, hoping that millions of gift cards will be redeemed.

Shoppers typically spend billions of dollars on the day after Christmas, so we sent an ABC7 crew out to the local malls. And while we expected to find people returning presents, it seemed that bad gift-givers decided to stick to gift cards this Christmas.

“I think it works out good cause I get what I want,” said Cielo Vista Mall customer Bianca Alderette. She cashed her gift cards to score low-priced loot.

Gift givers and receivers took advantage of post-Christmas price cuts.

“I usually have more returns, but they gave gift cards this year, which really made everything easier,” said Alderette.

“(We don’t have any) returns. We didn’t really spend that much,” said Bernie Alba. “We were waiting for today. So (the family) got gift cards.”

Retail sales tracking firm, ShopperTrak, estimates the week after Christmas accounts for more than 15% of holiday shopping sales. The push for a “Mega Monday” blow-out could be one reason ShopperTrak expects sales to increase nearly 4% this year.

Alderette said she’s happy to receive gift card and avoid Christmas returns and disappointment.

“(My family doesn’t) feel bad because they didn’t get me something,” said Alderette. “I can do whatever I want with (gift cards).”