Tampa Bay Mall Hours Listed For Last-Minute Shoppers

TAMPA, FL – With the children nestled all snug in their beds, it’s time for mom and dad to rush out for those holiday gifts they overlooked during the made Christmas rush. Fortunately, Tampa Bay malls are prepared for those who suddenly realize they don’t have a present for Grandma.

Here’s a rundown of the final times last-minute shoppers will be able to visit their local malls before Christmas:

• Tampa Bay Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz – Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• International Plaza and Bay Street, 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa – Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Westfield Citrus Park, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa – Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Westfield Countryside, 27001 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater – Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa – Christmas Eve, 11 to 6 p.m.
• Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center, Brandon – Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• WestShore Plaza, 250 WestShore Plaza, Tampa – Christmas Eve, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel – Christmas Eve, noon to 6 p.m.
• Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg – Christmas Eve, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hyde Park Village, 744 S. Village Circle, Tampa – Christmas Eve, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to a survey from the International Council of Shopping Centers, 76 percent of adult shoppers say they plan on making holiday purchases right up until Christmas.

Although the holiday season seems to kick off earlier every year, there are a variety of reasons why some people still wait until the last minute to do their Christmas shopping, according to the Fiscal Times.

Some hope to get better deals right before Christmas as retailers suddenly realize they ordered more stock than they can sell.

Others say that between decorating the house for the holidays, attending the requisite holiday parties and frantically making alterations to nativity costumes for their kid’s church play, they simply haven’t had time to complete their shopping lists.

Finally, there are those who are simply habitual procrastinators. They figure they’ve got plenty of time to do their shopping – until they don’t.

Whatever the reason, the Florida Retail Federation is counting on those 11th-hour gift purchases to bolster this year’s holiday revenues.

Despite the impacts of Hurricane Irma, which pummeled parts of Florida in early September, the federation is predicting a 3 to 3.5 percent increase in sales over 2016.

“This season should be another strong one for our retail members, thanks to a 10-year low unemployment rate, a strong housing market, high consumer confidence and 100 million tourists leaving with more than what they came with,” said FRF President/CEO Scott Shalley in a press release. “Hurricane Irma hit our state extremely hard, and we factored in this impact in our forecast, but we feel the overall strength of our economy and the incredible recovery efforts that have taken place will help lessen the impact on retail sales this holiday season.”

According to the FRF, Florida’s retail industry totals more than 270,000 businesses and employs 2.7 million Floridians..

The holiday shopping season accounts for 20 to 40 percent of its retailers' annual sales, according to the federation. With that in mind, shopping centers and malls throughout the state are going out of their way to accommodate forgetful and procrastinating shoppers.

The FRF said gift cards top the list of the most popular gifts this holiday season followed by clothing and accessories, books, movies or music, electronics, home décor and furnishings and jewelry.

The most popular toys this holiday season are Hatchimals, toys from the new Star Wars and Justice League movies, Barbies, LEGOS, Nerf toys, and toys from Disney Junior shows.

Photo via Shops at Wiregrass