ATLANTA — It's almost Christmas time and with supply shortages, shipping delays, and a pandemic, people may be forced to hit the stores before the holiday.
In fact, about three in four people will try to go holiday shopping in the final days of the year, according to a Retail Me Not survey. About half of shoppers will try to buy a gift card as a last-minute gift.
With the omicron variant elevating coronavirus concerns and even shutting down stores, and staffing shortages changing hours, last-minute shopping could be more of a headache this year.
Here are a few major retailers and malls that will be open on Christmas Eve in the Atlanta area:
Malls
Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve with stores allowed to set their own hours. The mall will be closed on Christmas Day.
Lenox Square in Atlanta's Buckhead community is the third-largest mall in Georgia and it will let shoppers roam its building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Woodstock, Georgia will be open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In Cobb County, the Cumberland Mall will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday but advises shoppers to check individual store hours.
The Mall of Georgia near Buford will open its doors at 10 a.m. and allow shoppers to roam until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Those heading to Gwinnett County to shop should double-check individual store hours as they may change due to the holiday.
Phipps Plaza in the Buckhead district of Atlanta will open its doors an hour early on Friday at 9 a.m. for Christmas Eve. On the other hand, shoppers have until 6 p.m. to find gifts.
Ponce City Market in northeast Atlanta will be open for festivities starting at 10 a.m. and host events until 9 p.m. However, stores will have their own hours with many closing up shop at 6 p.m., along with its food hall.
Major retailers
Some popular stores are adjusting their hours for Christmas Eve.
Costco will be open and plans to close its doors at 5 p.m.
Target and Walmart will also be open Friday with plans to close at 8 p.m. However, several Walmart stores in more remote areas are scheduled to close at 6 p.m.
Department stores like Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney will be open until 6 p.m. If they're housed in a mall, it's best to check the store and mall hours.
Grocery Stores
Aldi stores will close at 4 p.m on Friday and all Trader Joe's locations will close at 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve will prompt Publix to close up shop at 7 p.m.
Kroger locations plan to close early for Christmas Eve but hours vary by location. Whole Foods Markets are following a similar strategy, with most slated to close at 7 p.m.
Most CVS convenience stores will close at 9 p.m., however, some 24-hour locations will still live up to their names.
Walgreens said it will follow typical business hours with its 24-hour pharmacies following that standard as well.