After-Christmas Sales Bring Big Crowds

Christmas is over and most people are relaxing from a day off work, but the day after Christmas also marks one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Friday marked the start of the official “after-Christmas sale” at most stores around the Bluegrass.

Along with a majority of the big box stores, the Fayette Mall opened at 7 a.m. on Friday.

Signs in the front of nearly every store said “Sale” or “Clearance,” and showed discounts from 30-to-70 % off.

Iona Desenburg and her two daughters are shopping together this year for great deals and celebrating their mom’s birthday.

“Bath and Body Works was our first stop and we looked at some boots but we didn’t buy any yet,” Desenburg said. “We might go back.”

But with all the great deals, the mall is expecting more traffic than normal.

 “There will be a lot more traffic for Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Fayette Mall’s Sarah Enlow said. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing, there’s lots of opportunities to get lots of shopping done while people are still off from work.”

With rain forecasted for the weekend, it’s a great way to spend sometime with family and get some fantastic deals as well.

“I would say its actually a little bit busier than black Friday sometimes and during certain periods of the day,” Enlow said. “Don’t let that scare you. We have lots of parking spots available and lots of stores with great sales.”

Lexington Police tell ABC 36 News they’re keeping a few extra units at the mall through New Years to make sure the traffic keeps flowing.

Police said it’s best to arrive early, try to use alternate entrance and be patient.

Stores and online retailers alike will also be expecting returns and exchanges this holiday season.

Amazon says any items shipped between November 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, may be returned until January 31, 2015 for a full refund.

But, make sure you check the policy of each individual retailer.