HOWARD (NBC26) - If you waited until the last minute to finish up your Christmas shopping, you're not alone.
"It happens every year. I'm pretty much always late,” said Kathy Kornowski of Pound.
"I don't usually like to shop this late,” said Tina Krueger of Bonduel. Talking about her daughter, Kelsey, she added “she's a college kid; she just got home, so here we are."
Four days before Christmas and all throughout, shoppers were scrambling to get through the checkout.
"It is a little busy,” Kelsey Krueger said. “Everybody's got carts, I feel a little intimidated here."
The last Saturday before Christmas is known as ‘Super Saturday,' and this year's crowds are expected to surpass Black Friday shopping. 148 million people are anticipated through the checkout line. Clothing is expected to be one of the most bought items for the season, followed by toys, gift cards and books.
"We're here shopping last minute for grandma,” Tina said. “We don't want to get her Tupperware, that's too easy,” Kelsey added. “So we're trying to think of something thoughtful."
And with six less shopping days this holiday season, Meijer in Howard said they only expect their crowds to grow.
“For brick and mortar stores, this is our opportunity to really help the customers,” said store director Don Mettler. "Right now, starting today, they don't have the time to wait for a truck for a delivery. As you try to order online now it could be two, three days. They can come in here and pick it up right away, they have it physically in their hand they’re not fretting about is it going to come?"
Because you can only wait so long to check off your lists until Santa comes on Christmas Day.
''You get a lot of last minute shoppers on Christmas Eve too,” Mettler said.
