By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Super Saturday for many retailers is the biggest shopping day of the year.
It's usually the last Saturday before Christmas but with it landing on Christmas Eve this year many retailers had Super Saturday a week early rolling out deep discounts a week early.
Nationwide many big box retailers have been reporting an increase in sales overall this year. Local stores are hoping to get in on the business, too.
Every time Sport Seasons General Manager Stephen Deel sells a pair of shoes he breaks a sweat.
"Every time I sell a pair of shoes I do 10 ten pushups," said Deel. "It's a little gimmick for the customers it's fun."
Like many retailers the West Knoxville business is pulling out all the stops during the last stretch of the holiday shopping season.
"We are opening an hour early and an hour later this week," said Deel.
Business isn't as good as they were hoping but it's better than last year.
In fact, Deel says sales are up about 15%.
"We do continue to stay encouraged we are hoping for some really strong numbers this year," said Deel.
At Sport Seasons the best seller is the pillow pets, which are flying off the shelves.
Meanwhile in Fountain City, Super Saturday was a big day for Jodi Bowlin. Her store, Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts, is a small business surviving the bad economy.
"I think people are finally getting it that it's so important to shop local and to keep the money in our local economy so I can tell a big difference," said Bowlin.
Last year, sales finally started picking up for Bowlin and this year the numbers are pretty much the same as last year.
"There are always last minute shoppers and after Christmas sale that we have to clear out the rest of the merchandise," said Bowlin.
For many retailers, the revenue is far from ideal but they say at least it's on the upswing.
According to the National Retail Federation, on average retailers will giving back 9.9 cents in returns for every dollar they sell this holiday season.
