No after holiday shopping blues

It's a day for bargain hunters and gift returners.

In fact, it might be the biggest day of the year for those two groups of shoppers.

Walmart and Target was filled will people looking to return presents or take advantage of the various sales offered the day after Christmas.

Peggy O'Connor was about to resize a watch at Walmart, but noticed the swarm of people and decided to head over to Target, which had a smaller crowd by noon Saturday.

"The parking lot was packed," she said. "I thought I might as well wait."

Those who were returning gifts Saturday at Target were mostly doing so for their children.

Adults can wait on exchanging that sweater or that pair of shoes until the crowds get smaller. Kids are another matter.

"Santa brought the wrong Harry Potter," said Jolene Niesen, of Spring Hill, who bought one of the movies for her 6-year-old son. "We had to get the right one."

Retailers have conscientiously upped the ante the day after Christmas by introducing sales campaigns to entice bargain hunters.

Best Buy is among them. It is offering a two-day sale for high-definition televisions, notebook computers and other electronic devices.

Those looking to get maximum value out of their gift cards often brave the stores the day after Christmas.

Retail analyst Britt Beemer, founder of America's Research Group, said electronics topped the shopping list during this holiday season. More than 34 percent of consumers purchased an iPod, television, iPhone, laptop or other electronic device.

Toys came in second with 28 percent, according to ARG.

With the day after Christmas falling on Saturday and with the blizzard affecting the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic a week before the holiday, chain stores decided to make one last push before the end of the year to boost its sales numbers.

Sears, for instance, offered a sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday on treadmills, tools and other items.

Walmart and Target are offering specials through Jan. 1.