Last-minute holiday shoppers pack Mayfair Town Center

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAYITV) —  Holiday shoppers packed Mayfair Town Center on Wednesday searching for last-minute gifts.

“I went to H&M and Francesca’s, I’m pretty notorious for my last minute shopping,” said Mathias Turner.

Turner was out shopping for his girlfriend and brother at the town center.

“I think I perform pretty well under pressure so I’m doing the best I can,” Turner said.

Shoppers flooded the shopping center searching for the perfect gift.

The National Retail Federation reports, on average, shoppers planned to spend around $890 for gifts and holiday décor in 2025. Paige Coniglio, marketing director for Mayfair said shopping at the town center has followed that trend.

“Traffic is up, sales are up so and we’re seeing that a lot of the new retailers into the market are driving some of that as well,” Coniglio said.

Haley Bullock, owner of Shop Blakeley’s, a mother and daughter owned boutique said they offered 20% off merchandise and 30% off holiday items for those rushed shoppers.

“It’s been wonderful,” Bullock said. “We are so excited to see our returning customers but also our first time customers as well, we are so thrilled to be in a place like Mayfair that brings us the foot traffic.”

While the last minute shopping can be fun for some, it can also become an easy stresser, putting some customers on edge.

“Be kind to retail workers please,” said Jake Register, stylist at Wrightsville Avenue Boutique “We’re doing our best.”

Register said most of their customers on Wednesday were picking up stocking stuffers and enjoying their final holiday sales.

“We are all busy, we’re all ready for Christmas to come so if you’re out and about and you have to be out make it a good time, be friendly, be nice, spread holiday cheer,” Register said.

Alexis Caplanson-Torrens another last minute shopper agrees.

“It’s not about materialistic things, it’s about spending time with family and even though you want to get the perfect gift it’s not the end of the world,” Caplanson-Torrens said.

Turner said differently.

“It’s not the holidays if you’re not a little bit stressed,” Turner said.

Mayfair Town Center closed at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and will re-open on Friday at 10 a.m.