APPLETON, WI -- The final push for businesses to get people in their stores, making those last-minute purchases, is wrapping up Sunday, as the last weekend before Christmas comes to an end.
It comes on the heels of a scary day at a Madison mall Saturday, after a man pulled a gun out and fired one round in the midst of holiday shoppers.
The National Retail Federations says, just five days ago, a whopping 90 percent of holiday shoppers still had gifts to buy.
And, despite some we spoke with saying they're concerned by the latest mall shooting, they also say it isn't stopping them from making the most of this last big weekend.
For some of those shoppers, Sunday is about finishing that long shopping list.
"It's really getting those last-minute Christmas gifts, actually," laughs Serena Larie, next to her brother Grant, who just arrived home for the holidays.
Or in some cases, Sunday is the right time to start the Christmas shopping.
"Today!" exclaims shopper Rod Riesland, down in the Fox Cities from Marquette, "it's a one-stop shop. We were making a road trip, so we thought, 'Christmas shopping! Time to get everything knocked out,'" he adds, laughing with his family by his side.
Hundreds of shoppers, like Riesland, are making a day of it at the Fox River Mall.
"It's nice to be in one spot, and kind of hit anything that you missed," says Grant Larie, "or anything that's on your list."
But shoppers we spoke with admit, this year, they're also thinking about security.
"I think it is a little bit of a bummer that you do have to think about it," adds Larie.
Saturday's shooting inside a Madison mall was a chaotic scene, causing one injury, along with widespread panic on one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas.
"It didn't deter us at all," says Larie, sister by his side.
Shoppers at Fox River Mall are making it clear they're not letting fear be a deterrent.
"You think twice about it, but you get out," says Riesland. "The security is here, I felt pretty safe!"
Instead, shoppers we spoke with say they're taking the opportunity to be more aware.
"Map out any safety precautions that you can take right away," says Serena Larie, "just be mindful of nearest exits, where you can take cover. I want to feel safe in public," she adds, "and I do!"
And security was definitely present at the Fox River Mall Sunday.
Shoppers we spoke with say they felt safe noticing them relatively frequently during their time in the stores.
