Bargain hunters get a treat with after-Christmas sales

Winter coats are hot.Treadmills are on the move.Even toys (yes, more of them) are flying off shelves.Whatever merchandise didn't move from retailers' stores over the holiday shopping season will be sure to get price-slashed Monday when the aftermath of a retail bonanza begins. "There will be a lot of stuff that retailers will want to unload," said Max Levitte, chief executive and founder of Cheapism, which helps consumers find the best buys. "Everybody is so desperate to sell everything and to enjoy the little cash that people have to spend." Cash, credit, gift cards -- shoppers are expected to be out in force Monday using all of those to snatch up merchandise and contribute to what experts predict will be chaos.Why? For one thing, the day after Christmas falls on a Monday. Most workers will get a paid day off to observe the holiday. And what else is there to do on a Monday but shop?ShopperTrak, in fact, is predicting traffic could rise as much as 60% compared to last year. And so will sales.The day after Christmas typically is the second-highest revenue day for retailers, with as much as $8 billion being spent on that one day, according to ShopperTrak. The week that follows, from Tuesday to Jan. 1, accounts for more than 15% of holiday spending.So if you are doing a little shopping and want to get the best deals, here are tips we learned from the retail experts: Try it on for size (and buy) Especially the cozy stuff. An unseasonably warm winter has left way too many winter coats, furry vests and sweaters in the stores. "You are going to see a lot of coats go on sale right away after Christmas," said Britt Beemer, founder of America's Research Group, which follows consumer and retail trends.Other clothing and accessories also will be marked down big. This year, there are two reasons for that.First, retailers held back during the holidays when it came to cutting apparel prices. They had some 40% off deals, but not the 60% and 70% off seen in Christmases past.Then comes the changing of the seasons. Stores desperately need to move the winter merchandise so they can make way for their spring lineups.Experts predict consumers may even see some 75% off clothing deals, as well as buy one, get one free offers."I'm sure there are going to be some incredible offers," Beemer said. Play time Sure. Santa's time is over. The toys already are plundered from under the tree.That doesn't mean you won't find sales at your favorite toy store."You'll see stuff you paid full price for two weeks earlier that's $7," Levitte said. "The day after Christmas is just big sales." The nation's largest toy retailer, ToysRUs, is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday.Spokeswoman Katelyn Leondi filled us in on some of the deals, including a free Hasbro toy (you pick one of four valued at $19.99) with a total Hasbro purchase of $20 or more.The store also is offering buy-one-get-one-40% off all movies and video games as well as buy-one-get-one-50% off all Fisher-Price Little People, MoshiMonsters, Dream Dazzlers, WWE single figures and more. Exercise your wallet Retailers aren't stupid. They know you feel kind of nasty from eating all those holiday dinners. They also know as many as 63% of Americans make a New Year's resolution to lose weight.