Little time left for Christmas shopping

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - After Friday, there are just three more shopping days until Christmas.

Most shoppers told 22News they've almost finished, and some have spent more than they did last year.

Diane Seymour of Springfield told 22News that there is a reason behind her decision to splurge.

“Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with cancer: lung and breast. So, I figured I want this year to be the best because I don't know how I'm doing to be next year,” Seymour said.

Clark Westbrook of Springfield is not worried that he has barely put a dent into his shopping list.
Westbrook claims to be what he calls a “speed shopper.”

“You walk in the store with your wife during the course of the year or a few days before Christmas. You pay attention to see what she's looking at, and then you go back again. So you're in and you're out,” Westbrook said.

A retailers survey claims that this shopping season has been less than lucrative for many stores.
22News found some shoppers putting a ceiling on how much they will spend compared with last year.

“I think with me it's about the same. Live with a certain budget if I can. About the same almost each year,” Melissa Sharpe of Springfield said.

Retailers hope that the surge of late shopping this weekend and through Monday will improve the bottom line of what up to now has reportedly been a lackluster holiday shopping season.