HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The countdown is on for the holiday shopping season. Retailers are hoping for the best when it comes to sales but are also preparing for the worst when it comes to dealing with thieves. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Stores are gearing up as there are just five weekends and 33 days before Christmas. "We're super excited to see what kind of traffic we get, what kind of people we get, just how crazy it's about to get," said Lei Gonsalves, House of Mana Up manager. Advice from an expert on how to navigate this year’s holiday finances "Hopefully a lot," said Tyler Ota, Land & Sea Golf. "I mean last year was pretty good. So hopefully just a repeat of that." But these days retailers must also protect themselves from theft. According to the National Retail Federation, theft spikes between 30 and 40% during the holidays. "Tis the season," said Tina Yamaki, Retail Merchants of Hawaii. "We know shoplifters also want to get items for their friends and family, and so they do that $5 discount, or they find out that this is a great time because people are willing to buy off of them discounted items that they have stolen." Security features like cameras are now mandatory for stores. They also have to be strategic in their set up. "To protect ourselves we definitely try to keep more of our minimum or smaller products towards the back of our store where it's less accessible or less closer to the exit of the entrance," said Gonsalves. At Land & Sea Golf, they moved their cash register from the back of the store to the front near the entrance. "It was just a simple move, not that far," said Ota. "I mean it's like 20 feet or so, but I think it just makes our presence known a little bit better." Retailers said theft and shoplifting are an unfortunate part of the business they just have to deal with. They wanna stress it not only affects them, but it affects all of us. "This ultimately affects the customer, because we're the one who has to pay for the items that have been stolen," said Yamaki. "We have to pay for those increased security costs, especially if we have to hire security officers in the retail outlets or stores." Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Yamaki also mentioned some tips for shoppers during the holidays. Watch your purse or wallet. Protect valuables like your phone and leave your pets at home so they don't get hurt in the crowds. "What do you think is gonna be the hot item for Christmas? The hot item for Christmas? That's actually a tough one. I think it's gonna be our mac nut crumble or our lilikoi butter from Kahuku Farms," said Gonsalves.