Black Friday is a common term that refers to the day following Thanksgiving. It marks the beginning of Christmas shopping season in the United States. The shopping day is a big time for consumers and has become synonymous with bargain-hunting. But before you head out shopping on Black Friday, there are some important things to consider. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of Black Friday shoplifting. Find out more about Black Friday's roots and the impact Cyber Monday will have on your small business Saturday.
Shoplifting on Black Friday
Black Friday shoplifting does not only affect the well-off. Even children as young as five years old have been caught shoplifting, including electronic gaming consoles. A mother of 3 pleaded guilty in Walmart to shoplifting with her 2 daughters. The girls, all younger than 18, were living on a caravan site for the past 18 months. The internet was amused by a police mugshot that showed her looking confused and shaken. But what can we do?
There are many methods to avoid being a victim of Black Friday shoplifting. Many people forget to lock the car and leave their bags in the open. It will be easier to shoplift items if stores are open longer than usual. This is particularly true when it comes to toys. These are the most frequently stolen items from unlocked cars. Other items, such as electronics and phones, are less likely to be stolen on this holiday. Instead, it's best to be safe than sorry.
California Gov. Gavin Newson, governor of California, expressed concern at the increase in brazen shoplifting. Retail crime is a costly business expense. It costs companies nearly $700 millions per billion in sales. Many shoppers wait until the last minute to make their purchases. However, the COVID-19 epidemic has forced them to shop earlier than normal. Even flash mobs of shoplifters have hit the streets of San Francisco, taking thousands of dollars in merchandise.
Black Friday violence most often involves shoppers, but there are incidents of violence between officers and customers. One such incident involved a police officer who shot a suspect after he was suspected of shoplifting. Uninjured bystanders could have been hurt in this incident. You can avoid being victim to shoplifting during Black Friday by shopping smart and staying alert. A Santa Rosa criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights.
Despite all the positive news regarding the holiday shopping season and the rise in shoplifting, this is the dark side to Black Friday. 13 people were arrested by police in the valley during peak holiday shopping season. Security experts believe it is impossible to catch every criminal. Fortunately, police have made some big changes to their security measures to prevent theft on Black Friday. You will never know when a thief lurks behind a well stocked store.
Origins of Black Friday
Black Friday originated in Philadelphia in the 1950s. Police officers there were overwhelmed by shoppers from suburban neighborhoods the day after Thanksgiving. To manage the chaos, police were required to work longer shifts. Shoplifting and robberies were easy to thrive in the chaos. These events led to the popularization of the term. But how did Black Friday come to be? Continue reading to find out more.
Black Friday is a result of American consumerist culture, which has been widely spread. The Gilded Age saw the rise of capitalism and consumerism, which led to a recession in the American economy. Jay Gould (and Jim Fisk) were two of the few greedy investors who took advantage by driving up prices for gold. The price of gold rose to new heights due to the control they had over the supply of toilet papers.
Black Friday started as a negative term. It was later made into a positive term. It was virtually unknown for a decade before exploding in popularity. It has an interesting history. Bonnie Taylor Blake, a University of North Carolina neuroscientist, is the main authority on the word’s etymology. This era is over, but it still evokes panic and fear.
Black Friday became increasingly globalized as mobile and eCommerce technologies expanded and consumers' demands increased. American online giants were largely responsible for the spread of Black Friday. Amazon currently operates in fourteen locale markets, which provides fierce competition to global movers. Jumia, which is headquartered in Nigeria, is a strong competitor. Despite these obstacles, Black Friday continues its dominance in the retail industry.
Cyber Monday: The Impact
Analysts say Cyber Monday had mixed results on Black Friday sales. They cited the impact of lower discounts and fewer options. Also, retailers may have been discouraged by concerns about global supply chains and supply-chain disruptions. Regardless of the reasons, retailers are wise to spread their promotional deals over several weeks, not just one. This strategy can help retailers maintain profit margins while allowing them to better manage their inventory. Cyber Monday is now second in terms of shopping volume, behind Black Friday.
Businesses should intensify their advertising campaigns in the week prior to Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday shoppers will be worried about delivery options. Customers cannot return products in-store. Companies can offer quick delivery options and a clear refund policy. However, 23% respondents to a survey said faster shipping would enhance their shopping experience. Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day in the U.S., with more than $18 billion in sales.
Cyber Monday and Black Friday may be interchangeable but there are important differences between the two shopping days. Cyber sales are usually announced by retailers on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. While many Cyber sales were repeats of Black Friday deals like the one above, some Cyber sales offered unique items such as a discounted Apple Watch Series 6 or a Nintendo Switch gaming bundle. Despite the similarities, there isn't a definitive answer to which holiday is better. Both holidays offer various discounts on top products.
Mastercard has found that Cyber Monday's negative impact on Black Friday sales was based on a Mastercard study. Black Friday sales were up 29.8% overall, but online sales were down 10.6% when compared to one year ago. Retailers should be aware that Covid-19's impact is yet to be seen. Cyber Monday 2015 will likely prove to be even more popular than last year. Black Friday is the US's number one sales holiday.
Cyber Monday is a notable day for electronics. Prices dropped significantly for electronics, apparel, appliances and other items. There are a few limitations to these deals. Although it is possible that retailers may raise prices due inflation, consumers will still benefit from the savings. Cyber Monday deals are also extended to the rest of the holiday season, which might decrease their share. The impact of Cyber Monday on Black Friday is far more significant in the online retail sector.
Influence of Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday's impact on Black Friday is obvious. The holiday season is a time when consumers are most open to sales pitches. A survey by American Express found that more than 135,000,000 Americans used social media for Small Business Saturday 2016. This event can be a great way to encourage people to support local business and to get involved with their communities. To maximize the benefits of Small Business Saturday, prepare early to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Promote your store and get more foot traffic. This is one of the best methods to make the most this event. Small businesses rely on foot traffic. To be successful in this environment, you will need to market yourself. Social media advertising can be a great way to get people to visit your store. A pep rally can be organized and invited neighbors to shop local.
Since a while, Small Business Saturday is a good way for brands to get more awareness. American Express's national advertising campaigns have garnered more than three million Facebook likes, which is a great way to piggyback on this marketing campaign. You'll increase your visibility and your brand's reputation. Small Business Saturdays are a great way to increase your visibility and position your business in prime shopping days.
Small Business Saturday's influence on Black Friday is huge. According to the study, antique shops were the most profitable type retail businesses of the day. This retail activity contributed 131% to the total revenue of Small Business Saturday. These retail shops also ranked among the top performing on Saturday. Many small retailers have already taken advantage of Small Business Saturday to increase their sales.
FAQ
Can I use gift cards to shop online?
Gift cards are accepted at many online stores. These cards can be used to buy products online.
These points cannot be used to redeem rewards points.
How can I become a smart online consumer?
You can only succeed if you know how to make informed decision. You need to know what you want and why you want it. Find the best deal for yourself.
It is important to compare prices and shop around. This will allow you to decide where your money should go.
Review and rate products before purchasing. They may help you decide whether to buy or not.
There are many ways to save money if you don't want the full price.
Consider financing your purchase with a credit card company if you are buying expensive items. They often offer special deals like 0% interest for 12 months.
There are many other ways you can save money while shopping online, but these just a handful.
Why I shouldn’t believe the hype surrounding sales in online shops and stores?
Sometimes, sites will overstate the starting price of an object to make you appear to be saving more. Make sure to add the item you are interested in to your shopping cart so it doesn't get lost. Then, search Google for the designer name and type of product that you are searching for. You might find out that the great deal you thought you got is actually not so great. You may even find that same item for less.
Statistics
- A report from the U.S. Census Bureau found that in the first quarter of 2022, an estimated $250 billion was spent on retail e-commerce sales.1 (thebalance.com)
- According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online shopping was the fourth most common fraud category for consumers as of February 2022.5 (thebalance.com)
- Beyond that, you'll be liable for a 25% import tax. (makeuseof.com)
- Last Black Friday, I bought a stove from Lowes at 40% off, receiving 24 months of interest-free financing (from Lowe's). (meetfabric.com)
External Links
How To
How do I create a grocery store list?
A grocery list should include items that you shop at your local store. It should include the following categories:
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Produce (vegetables, fruits)
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Meat/fish
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Dairy products (milk cheese yogurt, cheese)
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Snacks & sweets
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Drinks
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Other groceries
A grocery list should be simple. Do not list every food you eat everyday. It would be too difficult and lengthy. Try to find out what ingredients you use frequently and add them to your list. If you like something new, try adding it!
You can also save yourself some work if you know which recipes you often cook. Many online recipe databases allow you to search for ingredients and print the recipe. Another option is to take a screenshot of the ingredient listing and add it to Evernote. This will allow you to easily find it later.
Check out our article to get some ideas on how you can make a grocery checklist.