More thrifting and fewer returns _ the early trends that defined shopping this holiday

The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn't fit, or didn't hit quite right. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.