ATLANTA — Businesses around metro Atlanta are hoping for a post-Christmas bump in sales as shoppers look to use gift cards, the now-common stocking stuffer.
Many retailers relaxed their return policies as shoppers revisited stores during what was anticipated to be one of the busiest shopping days of the holiday season.
Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik went to a Best Buy in Dunwoody to learn why retailers were on guard the day after Christmas.
"We woke up pretty early and took care of all the stuff so can we get out here before the crush," one shopper said.
Rachael Kates was helping her mother find a new computer at the store.
"We’re going to try to get her something decent," she told Petchenik.
The store's manager said he was hoping for more than just decent sales on Dec. 26.
"We’re looking to have a good day today. Our next few days all the way until next week are going to be pretty busy,” he said.
Sammy Abuata says his job is to help gift exchangers find the perfect replacement.
"Ultimately, our goal today is to make sure our customers get the right product,” he said.
The National Retail Federation estimated nearly half of all shoppers will return at least one holiday gift.
Best Buy is just one of many big-box retailers with relaxed return policies, allowing people to return, even without a receipt, for store credit.
"We are extending our return/exchange policy until the middle of next month on all holiday purchases made from Black Friday forward,” an employee said.
The day-after Christmas is traditionally the second busiest shopping day of the year.
The day is so important that it could determine if some stores will be around for the holidays next year.
This years' Black Friday was considered "lackluster" by some experts so many retailers are hoping for strong sales Friday.
Walmart let customers exchange gift cards from more than 200 retailers, airlines and restaurants for a Walmart card. The cards don't expire and can be used in stores and online.
The exchange may send more shoppers to the website of the world's largest retailer.
It's a test program, but if it's successful, Walamrt said the card swap could become a permanent service. The store's spokesman Ravi Jariwala said the chain doesn't have specific metrics to evaluate that but will watch how shoppers react.
Shoppers won't get the full value of their gift cards to use at Walmart. For example, with Amazon.com, customers can redeem up to 95 percent, while for Staples that figure is up to 90 percent and for Gap, up to 85 percent. For some brands, a Walmart gift card will be worth just 70 percent of the original card.
Up to about $1 billion worth of gift cards will go unused this year, according to CEB TowerGroup, a consultancy. That's because recipients either lose them or can't figure out what to buy.
"We recognized that this was an opportunity," said Jariwala. "A large number don't get redeemed. We figured this was a good way to get gift cards in the hands of more customers."
He said that 95 percent of Walmart holiday cards are typically redeemed by February.
Walmart gift cards are the most sought-after on CardCash, the country's largest gift card exchange website, said CardCash CEO Elliot Bohm. CardCash is Walmart's partner in the program. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
To exchange a card, go to http://walmart.cardcash.com and input your information. The Walmart eGift cards should be emailed to you within an hour.
WSBTV
