The Christmas shopping season is entering the home stretch and local merchants are hoping for a stampede to the finish line.

Jerry McLean, general manager at Sam’s Club in West Rome, said that thus far the season has been a little better than expected.

“We’re running right with what the company’s been doing in terms of sales. December has been better than November, that’s for sure,” said McLean.

McLean said electronics, which are typically hot items during the holidays, have been even stronger than he expected.

Mike Barger, general manager at Rome’s Kmart on Hicks Drive, said “apparel’s been real good, I think the cold weather has helped.”

He also said most shoppers are looking for bargains.

“People have been more practical in their gift giving,” Barger added.

Mauri Sims and her son, Daniel, were Christmas shopping Saturday night for dad Daniel Sims at Kmart. When asked if she was Christmas shopping, she said, “Who isn’t?”

World Hi-Fi Home Store, 1600 Shorter Ave., is conducting an ‘After Christmas Before Christmas’ sale this week.

The holiday season for owner Bill Pelfrey Jr. has been, “much better than what we’ve been seeing. Hopefully it’ll just get better.” He said he’ll be offering Black Friday pricing throughout the week.

Maurice’s clothing store in the Mount Berry Square mall will try to bring in last-minute shoppers on Wednesday, offering 40 percent off much of the merchandise in the store and clearing out a lot of its winter clothing at 50 percent or more.

Manager Frankie Ford reported sales have been brisk during the holiday shopping season.

The loss of several stores in the Rome area in 2009 has had an impact on those who have been able to survive the tough economy. Several merchants said apparel sales may have been boosted by the loss of Goody’s in the Rome market.

The loss of Circuit City early in the year has perhaps helped others who sell electronics. However, one merchant said Circuit City sold a lot of flat screen TVs and computers in the weeks before its Rome store shut down.

Office Depot was another big store that shut down in Rome this year and it’s loss has sent shoppers to a number of survivors.

If you’ve finished all your shopping and ready to kick back and relax, a number of top movies are showing in Rome this week. “Up in the Air” with George Clooney will open Wednesday at the Movies at Berry Square as will “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.”

“Christmas Day” will bring Sherlock Holmes to both Berry Square and the Rome Cinemas while “It’s Complicated” with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alex Baldwin will open at Berry Square.

The Pop’N’Corn series will bring “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks Part One” to the Rome Cinemas Monday through Wednesday at noon.