NEW YORK -- Armed with gift cards and a zeal for bargains, shoppers returned to the nation's malls and stores Monday for a second round of the holiday shopping season as retailers hoped for a post-Christmas sales blitz.
Many stores -- stymied by shoppers procrastinating even longer than last year -- are relying even more on the post-holiday business to meet their modest sales goals, and wooed customers with deeper discounts, expanded shopping hours and fresh regular price merchandise.
They're largely aiming their efforts at the growing numbers of gift card holders who are expected to spend their newfound money more generously. Gift cards are recorded as sales only when they're redeemed.
Online sites such as overstock.com and buy.com were courting customers with free shipping deals and deeper discounts on Monday, though online shopping has been a bright spot in the season.
Mostly though, shoppers were clamoring for a deal.
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"I wouldn't pay full price today for anything," said Misty Watters, who snapped up discounted Nike sweat pants and T-shirts at McCain Mall in North Little Rock, Ark.
