The Day After not as bad as other years at local malls

PEABODY-Consumers were out and about Friday, exchanging items that didn’t fit and returning things they simply didn’t like. But, traffic at the Northshore Mall wasn’t nearly as frightful as in years past, shoppers say.?It’s a bit more crowded now,” said Tina Zukowski of Salem, who stood with her two daughters and sister-in-law, each carrying a minimum of two bags. “Usually, it’s crazy. It really wasn’t this year.”Hitting up local retail stores the day after Christmas is somewhat of a ritual for Zukowski. She said that’s when she finds some of the best bargains, bargains that typically come at the cost of waiting in long lines and fighting for a parking spot.There’s one store in Danversport that she and her daughter always get to bright and early. She recalls past year’s where it just didn’t seem to matter what time they arrived, there was always a line out the door.?There was not a single person in the store at 8:15 this morning,” she said.The lack of shoppers was almost a sort of let down for some people who prepare themselves for the battle of the bargain each year. But to others, it was even more of a letdown to see that, as great as the deals were, they weren’t that much better than what was offered before the holidays.?This year, the deals were so good before Christmas, that I’m not too convinced it was that much better afterwards,” said Devon Winey of Melrose.But, sale prices overall were certainly greater than in years past, partly due to the failing economy. Retailers dropped prices and offered penny saving gimmicks more than ever before to lure consumers and their wallets inside.Window displays featured large, flashy signs advertising sales of nearly 75 percent off at some stores. Trendy clothing boutique Metropark offered an astonishing additional 40 percent off clearance items and youth clothing store Aeropostal nearly gave shirts away at only $5 each. Pants at the same retailer went for $10 and purses and bags went for $6.For one family of shoppers, deals like those were exactly what they were looking for.?I was shopping for myself and my best friends,” said 11-year-old Brianna Brathwaite who visited the mall all the way from Barbados. The two had been shopping since about 9 a.m. and had no plans of stopping.Zukowski said that waking up early and making the annual trip to the mall was, as always, worth it.?Anything on sale, that’s what I like,” she quipped. “It’s definitely worth spending dad’s money.”One couple sat with a full bag of birthday presents from KB Toys, all of which cost them a total of $20.?My grandkids’ birthdays are in March,” said Carol Thidemann. “I’m jumping the gun because they’re going out business.”Winey’s husband Jeff also jumped on the opportunity to scoop up good deals on “iron-free” dress shirts from Brooks Brothers, a personal ritual of his.?I almost got an $85 shirt for $45,” he said. He also bought a $46 sweater from Macy’s for $8.Their young daughters appeared to have a case of the bargain bug, too, each carrying a bag of goodies they purchased themselves.?The $20 from her uncle was burning a hole in her pocket,” quipped Winey, noting her daughter’s newest Build-A-Bear.