Shoppers head to stores during last-minute holiday rush

SALT LAKE CITY — Shoppers rushed to the stores for last-minute presents and ingredients Friday, capping off a difficult holiday shopping season for consumers dealing with high prices.

“We just came out to do some last-minute stocking stuffing,” Aric Cowett said.

Cowett said the last-minute rush is typical for them this time of year.

“Oh yeah, every year. I mean, who’s got it together? I don’t know,” Cowett chuckled.

Others were there for wrapping paper, last-minute gifts and food.

“Last couple of Christmases it’s always been crazy and last-minute,” Sara Young said. “With a brand-new baby we’re like, ‘nope, we’re not doing the last-minute thing.’ Except for wrapping paper apparently.”

Stephanie and Heath Jones needed dog sweaters and a gift for their parents.

“Normally we get our shopping done way ahead of time. Not this year,” they said.

But the last-minute rush to the store isn’t the only thing that has made this holiday shopping season a bit different for them and others.

“We’re a little more cost-conscious this year,” the Jones’ said. “[Inflation] is up there, so I think people are really feeling it.”

Kelli Chandler agreed. She said she feels like everything is more expensive this year, and it’s caused her to scale back on buying gifts.

“I’m getting less for my money, I feel like,” she said.

Others said it was just something they had to deal with this year, but said their Christmas would look similar to previous years.

Whether they’re feeling the higher prices or not—most shoppers said they didn’t notice a difference in the size of the crowds at the stores this holiday season.

“You would think people aren’t shopping as much, but it seems like I see just as many people this year as we see in years past,” the Jones’ said.

“Yeah, it has felt kind of crazy still. I think people are out,” Chandler said.