Post-Christmas shoppers are out and about, but they are not exactly looking for deals on the latest gadgets.

Instead of using gift cards or returning merchandise for stuff they actually want, the shoppers who are braving today’s storm are generally on the hunt for shovels, salt and snow blowers, local stores managers say.

“We’ve actually been slammed today,” said Ryan Strahler, a manager at the Sears Hardware store at 2000 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering. “There have not really been that many returns.”

The day after Christmas is typically a business day for retailers, but some area merchants say the powerful storm that sucker punched the region this morning has kept shoppers indoors and out of their aisles.

The Mall at Fairfield Commons announced on Facebook that it would close at 4 p.m., with the exception of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sears and Macy’s.

The Dayton Mall plans to remain open until 6 p.m. Some stores at The Greene in Beavercreek plan to close early as well. Click here for a list of phone numbers for retailers there.

The storm no doubt worried retailers.

The Christmas shopping season was already considered a disappointment as shoppers were tightfisted with their dollars. Retailers hoped for a post-Christmas burst of spending, according to this Associated Press article we published here.

Sean Estell, an assistant manager at the Target at 2300 Miamisburg Centerville Road in Miami Twp., said shoppers seeking out food, snow removal equipment and other supplies keep his store busy.

Salt pellets, windshield scrappers and even sleds have been flying off the shelves.

“With the weather, we are seeing less returns this day than last year,” Estell said. “As long as the weather holds up, we anticipate tomorrow to be our busier day.”

Debbie Teeters, owner of Joli Boutique at 27 W. Franklin St. in Centerville, closed her shop because of today’s storm.

It was a tough decision.

Teeters said the day after Christmas is typically a steady one for her shop as out-of-town visitors and those who received money for Christmas come in “ready to spend.”

She plans to take advantage of the winter weather to make up sales she lost Wednesday.

“Tomorrow we are going to have a sale on our hats, gloves, scarves and coats,” she said.

What do you think? Did you venture out into the storm today?