Returns and gift cards, coupled with today being the day after Christmas, are expected to bring out some shoppers looking for bargains.

Paula Conaway at Paula’s Boutique on Broad will be offering 50-percent off everything in the store through Dec. 31.

Conaway said a lot of people had been purchasing gift cards this year, and she anticipates a lot of those cards will be redeemed quickly this year.

Multi-store gift cards at kiosks in many of the major retailers and discount stores, particularly for restaurants such as Applebee’s, Red Lobster and Chili’s were big sellers, but not high profit items.

The Walmart stores opened their doors today at 6 a.m., jumping back into the 24-hour mode. A spokesman at the East Rome Walmart on U.S. 411 said they are also expecting a wave of shoppers who got gift cards for Christmas.

The Kmart on Hicks Drive opens at 8 a.m. “The day after Christmas is usually a big day for us,” said General Manager Mike Barger.

Mount Berry Square mall on U.S. 27 is opening at 7 a.m., several hours earlier than normal for early bird shoppers and those inevitable Christmas gift returns.

Sales will vary from store to store, some offering deep discounts. Frankie Ford, manager at Maurice’s in the mall, said her store would be offering deep discounts on winter clearance merchandise.

Most of Rome’s downtown merchants will be operating on a normal Saturday schedule.

“The Christmas holiday season has been about the best we’ve ever had,” said Mary Brown, owner of the Roman Rose Antiques Shop on Broad Street.

Roger Wade, owner of the Mattress Direct/Kidz Loft on the Cotton Block of Broad Street in Downtown Rome, said he would be open regular hours today. “I’ll be hanging around to see if anybody wants to buy a mattress with some Christmas money,” Wade said.

Darling Pets, a mainstay on Broad Street for more than three decades, actually sold out of puppies and kittens before Christmas.

Owner Buddy Faine said he does not encourage people to buy pets for Christmas, adding that pets are a major responsibility.

“We’re OK. We’re healthy, but we’re not bragging,” said Faine who will resume his regular schedule at 10 a.m.