Last-Minute Christmas Shoppers Flock To OKC Stores Friday

Chris McKinnon, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Last-minute shoppers flocked to metro stores Friday to pick up gifts for family and friends.

Dora and Jim Stewart were out shopping for their grandchildren. They said it is always difficult trying to find the perfect present.

"It's more finding what's new," Dora said.

They were looking through toys Friday morning, but said the big items their grandkids want are video games. They were expecting big crowds, but said they did not mind it and even laughed as they picked up a toy that reminded them of their childhood.

"You get into this time of year and every day is like a Saturdays," said Target Team Leader Colby Boyd. "You're going to have just as many people coming through the doors and just as much foot traffic."

Friday morning was busy for the Edmond Target. That means good business, so they accommodate the big crowds as much as they can. They are open later this year on Christmas Eve and have team members ready to help out.

"Everybody talks about Black Friday but we'll do actually more sustained business this week than obviously any week of the year," added Boyd. "I expect that we'll have a lot of people in here taking advantage of the hours and being here until midnight and getting the last-minute gifts."

Shoppers who braved the crowds Friday did not seem to mind all that much. Ginger was out with her three daughters to pick up games and toys for Christmas Day. They are just like thousands of others who are hitting the stores with no time to spare.

"It was going to be a little difficult getting around the store today because of all the traffic but we managed to find a parking space," Ginger said.

Ginger's daughters were looking for games and remote controlled cars, but the pickings were slimmer than usual, which Ginger said she expected.

Boyd said Friday is actually the second-biggest shopping day of the year since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year.

Click here for a list of extended store hours across Oklahoma City