The last Saturday before Christmas, typically the biggest shopping day of the year, was expected to attract nearly 148 million consumers online and at brick-and-mortar stores this year.
The National Retail Federation projected that increase over last year’s Super Saturday turnout of about 134 million because of this year’s abbreviated holiday shopping season.
Margaret Smith of Shelocta felt the pressure of Christmas approaching just four days away and made the lengthy drive to Hempfield’s Westmoreland Mall on Saturday to pick up some remaining gifts on her list.
When she arrived, she found larger crowds than she’d prefer — parking was at a premium, and there was gridlock at at least one entrance to the mall from Route 30.
“It is bad,” Smith said. “It was shorter this season, and everybody procrastinated even worse. My daughter went to Ross Park Mall, but I said, ‘I’m not going in that direction.’”
Others, who had the majority of their shopping done, welcomed the chance to get out and spend time with family as daytime temperatures in the Greensburg area rose to near 50 degrees.
“We just wanted to spend some time together, walk around and look at stuff,” said Jessica Sawich of Irwin, who was shopping for clothes at Westmoreland Mall on Saturday with her daughter, Jaicee.
John and Samantha Nagy of Leechburg, who already had their big-ticket purchases made, came to the mall to pick up a few gifts, including clothing at Macy’s, that they’d ordered online for Samantha’s sister and mother.
Despite this year’s truncated shopping window, Samantha said, “We were pretty prepared. It’s just getting everything wrapped now.”
Daryl Beveridge of Monongahela wrapped up his holiday shopping Saturday at Westmoreland Mall, mainly picking up stocking stuffers at kiosks.
“There’s no plan,” he said. “I just come and look and, as I see it, I get it. I got a lot of the big items online, but it’s always nice to come out and do at least one trip in person and keep the brick-and-mortar stores going.”
He came with his brother-in-law, John Quinto of Belle Vernon, to also buy some gifts for their wives, who are sisters.
“We tend to come together and buy similar items but not the same,” Beveridge said.
Billie Jo Kozain of Jeannette does all her shopping at physical retail locations.
“I don’t shop online,” she said. “I like to see what I’m buying.”
Since she’d finished buying gifts for others, she came to the mall to buy a candle for herself, taking advantage of a coupon.
Jen Gavatorta and her mother, Mary Kiley, both of Greensburg, stayed in the city to complete their Super Saturday shopping. Gavatorta exited The Creative Art Store, which is having a closeout sale, shouldering a large bag filled with children’s art supplies.
“We’re just finishing up our Christmas shopping,” said Kiley, as the pair prepared to head to Penelope’s, a nearby gift shop.
Amie Hoaglin of Greensburg, another Penelope’s customer, was looking for last-minute party-host presents. She said she decided at the start of the season to reduce stress by trimming her list of gift recipients.
“I kept it simpler than I do most years,” she said. “I just kept it to the kids in my family and my boyfriend.
“I’m not losing my mind over Christmas. It’s not worth it.”
