The Christmas holiday is now behind us, and retailers say sales are down about five percent.

That's the weakest pre-holiday sales in 35 years.

Retailers like Sears and JC Penny are trying to lure shoppers back into their stores by slashing prices and offering door buster discounts by as much as 65 percent.

"We have some really good values for our customers to come in and shop," Ray gray, JC Penny's Pier Park store manager, said.

Retailers are hoping those values will benefit them and you.

"Well, these sales are typically a lot better than black Friday sales, particularly the final price reductions," Gray said.

“I definitely think they’re attracting more people. A lot of customers know they can get some really good deals or some quality merchandise," said Shannon Kloess, the Panama City Sears store manager.

Shoppers are also armed with gift cards, which for retailers means even more money could flow into their stores. And if you're returning anything, retailers say make sure you have a receipt so you won't have the headache of standing in line all day.

“Well, so far I have, I have 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of jeans and we just got here," Carrol Covington, a shopper, said.

"We got a lot of gifts for my granddaughter for next year and some things for the house," added Dennis Carroll.

Retailers are hoping those deals will help jump start the economy in 2009.