WAUWATOSA - Bargain hunters across southeastern Wisconsin lined up early to take advantage of deep post-Christmas discounts Friday morning.

Many stores and malls opened at 6:00 in the morning in a desperate attempt to salvage what is likely to be one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in decades.

One wouldn't know it by the long lines at the Target store in West Allis, though.

"It's a lot busier than I expected it to be," said early bird shopper Crystal Meleski. "We add a Christmas decoration every year, and today's usually the day to get it half price."

Big box retailers like Target are hoping the day after Christmas can buoy slumping sales. It's traditionally one of the five busiest shopping days of the year.

"I think if we have a really great sales day it will really help us out by the end of the year," said Target spokesperson Laura Dallmann.

Analysts estimate that holiday shopping was down a full 8% in 2008, with electronics, clothing, and appliance sales down as much as 20%.