If you spent the day grabbing the last items on your loved one's wish lists, you're not alone. The National Retail Federation estimates you were one of 35-million others who waited until the last minute. Procrastinators and bargain hunters grabbed up the last of their christmas goodies at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. "I always have those last minute things that you have to pick up, stocking stuffers or that one person you couldn't make up your mind for," says Fayetteville resident Rhonda Baughan. Retailers hope the last minute shoppers will make up for a sluggish sales season. Retail sales are at their slowest in five years. Mall shoppers say they've noticed fewer crowds. "The crowd is manageable, it's not as bad as I've seen in years past, I think most people got a little earlier of a start than I did," says Tom Buchanan. But waiting it out has it's perks. Nervous retailers are discounting prices and offering deals they hope the consumer just can't resist. "I am seeing some better deals, things that I've bought in the past I'm seeing a few dollars cheaper today," says Baughan. "I think when you look at some of the stores they have some things marked down that otherwise wouldn't be marked down," Buchanan says. The price slashing seems to be working. A retail industry group survey shows a surge in buying over the weekend, with sales up 18-percent from this time last year.
