'Twas the day after Christmas at University Park Mall

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind.-- People are feeling the strain on their wallets, that's why sales and gift cards are in demand this year. The day after Christmas is the perfect opportunity to spend those gift cards and snag those sales.

It's been a record-breaking year for Simon Malls, according to Christian Carlson, area director of marketing and business development. Through Black Friday weekend, he said, mall sales were up 7.1 percent across the country.

"Based on what we saw here, I'd say we were probably in line with that," Carlson said.

Thursday was busy at University Park (UP) Mall.

"We had lines at several stores when we opened at 10, ready for the sales that they're kicking off, Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Lululemon, some of the big popular stores," Carlson said. "But also, lot of families here with lists, like what did you not get for Christmas, what are you trying to get on sale, what do you need to return?"

In the age of online shopping, malls across America struggle for foot traffic, but the UP Mall in Mishawaka seems to be doing pretty well. Carlson said that's because it is 90 percent leased out, so the mall is nearly full and has a big-name people like.

According to Bank of America, gift cards are a top gift in 2024 and shoppers ABC57 spoke to seemed to prove that.

"We just came to spend our gift cards from Santa," said teenager Aubri with her sister Amiyah.

"Part of my kids' Christmas present was we started a Green Light card to kind of teach them money management, so one of their gifts was a debit card full of cash, and they're just going to spend it where they want," said shopper Cecily Fink.

Carlson said the peak holiday shopping season isn't over until kids start heading back to school.