For Additional Headlines - go to our News Section »

• Suspect Dies in Deputy Custody
  made by dakota
• Suspect Dies in Deputy Custody
  made by dakota
• Panama City Doctor held in Federal Custody
  made by PaulR
• Suspect Dies in Deputy Custody
  made by epicwil
• Suspect Dies in Deputy Custody
  made by epicwil

• Two Vehicle Collision On 15th Street
• Suspect Dies in Deputy Custody
• Circuit Judge Richard Albritton Facing Allegations of Abusing Power
• Names Released in Apparent Murder-Suicide
• Amy Cooper Found Guilty
• More than 50 Postive TB Tests at Arnold High School
• Sheriff’s Office Needs Help Locating Suspect
• Family Arrested for Prescription Drugs
• Christmas Parade Marriage Proposal
• John Deere Tractors Stolen, Award for Arrest

Hot Ticket Christmas Gifts
12/12/09 - 06:45 PM
 RSS Feed

The damp and cold day drives consumers from the beaches to the shopping malls and department stores are making use of the shopping time.

Parking lots reveal jam-packed stores in Panama City today and shoppers are out to get the hottest gifts for their loved ones.

You did see a few people just looking around, but the checkout lines were backed up as well.  Looking around Panama City’s retail giants today you’d never know that the country is in the middle of a recession. This year, just like every other year consumers are out shopping to get the hot items before they run out.

It happens every year… consumers rush to stores to get that one hot item so their children don’t rush down on Christmas morning only to see the one gift they wanted missing from under the tree. According to Best Buy customer relations manager Cody Reinmiller, it’s all about the Wii this Christmas in Panama City:  “We’ve been selling tons and tons of them every day. We’ve actually set up bundles for customers that have all the accessories and all the games they need for it and we’ve literally been seeing customers coming in by swarms and picking them up off the table so those are selling really quickly.”

According to sears operations manager Mary Henselman the Wii is hot with Sears customers too: “…video games are really big, especially the Wii. But Henselman says it’s not all about the technology:  “This year we have a new selection of bicycles and skateboards and the ripstick. The ripstick is hugely popular, so…a lot of people asking for that.”
Kids will enjoy some cool toys come Christmas morning. They might have more expensive taste, but grownups like toys, too!  “SLR cameras…They’re professional style cameras that grownups like to buy each other as gifts to take pictures of their kids.” Reinmiller says that these cameras have extra long range lenses that make shooting for sports perfect:  “They’re fantastic if you have a child who’s into sports or does any kind of outdoor action activities because it captures great photos.”

And of course men always love tools, according to Henselman:  “We have a lot of customers that are avid Craftsman customers and they come back every year to replenish their garages with tools…kind of like girls with clothes; you’ve always got to have one more!”

Many stores are extending hours especially the week before Christmas so check those out before you head out to shop. You may have a more time to shop than you think.