Retailers reported a busy Friday, and were expecting even more last-minute shoppers today.

Marrianne DuBose, owner of Pink Peppers located in the Covington Mall, said “they were extremely busy” Friday.

“It has really been a great, great two weeks,” she said.

Walmart manager Christy Burns said the day was “super busy.”

“The rain has held off and people are coming in.”

“Only two days left to shop and customers are out in force finishing up their Christmas shopping,” Dennis Cockrell, JCPenney manager, said.

Stores will open as early as 7 this morning and close as late as 8 p.m.

JCPenney will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., Goody’s from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., Cato from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Shoe Departments from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Maurices from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Pink Peppers from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Walmart will close its doors at 8 p.m.

All but Pink Peppers will open their doors for holiday returns on Monday.

Walmart will open again at 5 a.m. on Monday for returns.

“Rest assured, Walmart will be ready to take back those items. In fact, there will be specific registers open for returns only.”

Goody’s will open at 8 a.m., JCPenney at 9 a.m., Cato and Maurices at 10 a.m. and Shoe Department at 10 a.m.

All reminded customers to have their receipts handy when making returns to make for quicker and easier returns.

“Preferably, to make things smoother, we’d ask that you have your receipt ready when you come through the door,” Burns said. “And while a good number of those returns are going to be gift items and people won’t have a receipt, we ask that you make sure you have a current driver’s license.”

Burns said that Walmart has a 90-day return policy, but for purchases made from Thanksgiving to the present, the 90 days begins the day after Christmas.

JCPenney will have extra staff to accommodate the influx of returns, Cockrell said.

“Returns can be handled at any register except fine jewelry and shoes, which must be returned to its respective department,” he said. “We anticipate a lot of folks coming in to shop with gift cards they were given as gifts as well. Our return policy without a receipt or with a gift receipt is to give a merchandise voucher or a jcp charge credit to their credit card. Merchandise vouchers can be used in the store to purchase other merchandise.”