Retailers are hoping for a boost in post-Christmas shopping, something the economy badly needs.

Early figures show this holiday shopping season has been the weakest since 2008.

Some analysts say consumer spending was curbed by Superstorm Sandy, the Newtown shooting tragedy, and the fiscal cliff threat in Washington.

"There was this absence of joy for the holiday. There was no Christmas spirit. There have been just too many distractions," Marshal Cohen, chief research analyst at the market research firm NPD Inc., said.

Stores are banking on post-holiday returns to bring people in. In addition, this week many shops are opening early and closing late.

Experts say special promotions and new markdowns often make after-Christmas deals better than Black Friday.