Last-minute holiday shoppers pack St. Johns Town Center

Thousands crowd stores, pack parking lots in final days before Christmas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shoppers hit the pavement Friday at places such as the St. Johns Town Center in search of last-minute gifts before Christmas. 

Stores are expected to be just as packed Saturday, which is why Town Center officials recommended that holiday shoppers arrive before businesses open at 8 a.m.

This isn't the only weekend that shoppers have come out in full-force. According to the National Retail Federation, more than 155 million Americans took advantage of "Super Saturday" last weekend. 

"The process is: I have a list. I knew where I wanted to go. I parked far back in Target and I walked here -- In and out," said shopper Mary Odd. 

Odd was just one of thousands of last-minute shoppers who went to the Town Center Friday to find presents.

"I'm getting some last minute things. I was invited to a few places tomorrow, so I bought some hostess gifts. And I'm going home next weekend, so I want to buy some extra things for my daughter," Odd said. 

But not everyone is stepping in stores this year. A survey conducted by the National Retail Federation found that 52 percent of last-minute shoppers are planning to purchase their gifts online. 

The survey also found that many people have been shopping since as early as September for holiday gifts, but more than 41 percent of consumers waited until the last two weeks of December to pick up presents.

Cathryn Castro was another shopper who fought the crowds at the Town Center Friday. However, she had actually finished her gift buying.

"This is something for myself. After all the shopping, I thought, 'Why not treat myself?'" Castro said.

While Castro's mind was at ease as she scanned the stores, shopping can be very tiring and stressful for others. That's why many people -- 48 percent -- are waiting to take advantage of in-store deals after Christmas, the National Retail Federation said.

So despite so many stragglers packing the Town Center in they days counting down to Christmas, officials said, they anticipate Monday to be even busier. 

Traffic outside is frightful as holiday shoppers flood to Town Center

While the weather outside was delightful Friday as shoppers walked around the Town Center, it was the traffic on Jacksonville's Southside that was frightful.

VIDEO: Holiday traffic turmoil as shoppers pack Town Center

News4Jax timed the drive from downtown to the area Friday afternoon. It took 30 minutes just to get from the J. Turner Butler Boulevard exit onto Gate Parkway in the bumper-to-bumper traffic.

For others who arrived after 7 p.m., it wasn't as hectic.

"It took us, maybe, two or three minutes to get parked," said shopper Zachary Adamski. "Our strategy was to go to the biggest lot so we could get a spot right away."

But come next year, shoppers may have to assume a different strategy when the Town Center is home to even more stores and after IKEA opens in the fall.

The 30 acres of land currently construction will be transformed into 100,000 square feet of restaurants, retailers, living spaces and hotels set to open in spring 2017. Some of the tenants will include Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Newk's Eatery, Texas de Brazil and grocer Aldi.