Posted on: Tuesday, December 11, 2001

The Left Lane
Fast shopping facts

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser staff writer

Shop-'til-you-drop folks who contribute to mall madness around this time of the year can relax, as 98 percent of malls around the country will extend their holiday shopping hours.

According to the International Council of Shopping Centers' "Holiday Fun Facts 2001," most malls began preparations as early as Nov. 1 for this Christmas season, spending an average of $20,413 on decorations. Santa Claus appeared as early as Nov. 17, to start taking orders from an estimated 10,200 children per mall.

But if the idea of holiday shopping for that perfect gift brings on a headache, know this: Sales of that old standby, the gift certificate, reached $689,524 per mall, during the 2000 holiday season.