After Christmas Shoppers Hunt For Deals

UNDATED (AP) - Shoppers returned to malls today, redeeming gift

cards and rummaging through thinly stocked shelves hunting for

deals, next year's Christmas gifts and for most, gifts for

themselves.

The deals were good as retailers made a push to woo shoppers by

slashing prices and offering doorbuster deals often reserved for

the day after Thanksgiving.

Knowing shoppers would likely spend less, merchants carefully

managed inventory this Christmas. That meant on Dec. 26, some store

shelves were practically empty.

Shoppers in Maryland visiting one J.C. Penney store say the

selection looks "picked over." But others say they're finding

good deals.

Last year, the week after Christmas accounted for about 15

percent of holiday sales, according to ShopperTrak.

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