The post-Christmas shopping day is traditionally one of the most hectic in the shopping year, with shoppers showing up to spend coupons, gift cards, make returns, exchanges and more.
In the past, store staffs are worn out by day's end, with the sheer volume and level of activity stretching them to their limits. But at least for one local retail outlet, things were smoother than in years past. The management credits it to online interfaces, which smooth out the shopping experience.
"Actually, in total activity, things were a bit slower for the day after Christmas," said Jonathan Luna, guest services team leader for the local Target. "We had a lot of customers here, including three buses carrying a youth baseball team from Memphis, who proceeded to grab stuff off our shelves. So things were a bit hectic in that moment."
During this time of year, Target has its staff focus on "bounceback operations,"which is recovery of normal sales operations, post-Christmas."
"Sales on the day after Christmas this year were not as strong when compared to the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas," he said. "But there is a spike in various items as customers come in looking for things related to a Christmas gift, or things they needed but could not get on Christmas Day because everything is closed."
Business overall for Target in Texarkana was above average for the week, more than twice what was forecast for sales for the week ending on Thursday. Luna credits the smoothness of business, despite the intensity of the week, to their online presence.
"Shoppers are using both our online outlet and our app," he said. "So many customers are driving up to have us load up their goods in their vehicles. Also, our Target fulfills orders placed online. And not just to Texarkana. We ship out to the entire Ark-La-Tex. Our online innovations helped ease the post-Christmas rush intensity that certainly existed before we had these tools. Innovations have helped our customers ease our workload and helped us focus more on servicing them."