After Christmas Sales

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J.C. Penney announced today that it will open at 5:30 a.m. on the day after Christmas and offer 100 doorbuster specials, which is says is twice as many as last year.

I know, I know. You’re still trying to wrap up your Christmas shopping and haven’t even begun to contemplate after christmas sales.

But retailers are. And here’s why.

They want us to spend the gift cards we receive as holiday presents as soon as possible because the cards don’t count as sales until they are redeemed for merchandise.

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This year, though, things may be tough. Almost everything has already been on sale for more than 50% off. To lure me out on Dec. 26 for leftovers, stores would have to be giving stuff away.

Many of us are also opting to buy each other deeply discounted sweaters and jackets and toys instead of gift cards that never go on sale. According to the National Retail Federation, a Washington, D.C., retail trade organization, gift card sales are expected to fall about 6% this year and gift card buyers are expected to spend less on them $147.33 compared to $156.24 in 2007.

J.C. Penney is calling Dec. 26 the new Black Friday — the name given for the day after Thanksgiving shopping discount frenzy that is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Just like it did on Black Friday, it’s offering shoppers a free wake-up call so they don’t miss the Dec. 26 sale. If you want one, sign up at www.jcp.com starting Dec. 23.

Among the earlybird sales which go from 5:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: 50-60% off lots of private label clothing for men and women and 75% off Christmas trim and decor.

source: http://www.freep.com/article/20081219/FEATURES13/81219095