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Avoid becoming a victim to shoplifting at Black Friday

By Gloria Taylor 16 May, 2023 7 mins read

Black Friday is a term used to describe the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping period. Shopping day has become synonymous for bargain-hunting. You should be aware of a few things before shopping on this holiday. Below are some tips for avoiding being victim to shoplifting on Black Friday. Read more about Black Friday's origins and the impact Cyber Monday has on Small Business Saturday.

Black Friday Shoplifting

Black Friday shoplifting doesn't just affect the famous and wealthy. Teenagers and even children have been arrested for stealing electronic games, as well. A mother of three recently pleaded guilty to shoplifting at Walmart with her two daughters. The three girls, all under 18, have been living on a caravan site ever since the theft. A police mugshot showed her looking stunned and shaken. The internet laughed at the joke. But, what can you do to help yourself when you're running from the law?

There are many ways you can avoid being a victim to shoplifting on Black Friday. Many people leave their bags out in public and forget to lock their cars. It will be easier to shoplift items if stores are open longer than usual. This is especially true for toys as they are the most stolen items from locked cars. Other items, such as electronics and phones, are less likely to be stolen on this holiday. It is better to be safe rather than sorry.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newson raised concerns about brazen shoplifting. Retail crime can cost businesses $700 million per $1 billion in sales. Many shoppers wait until the big day before making their purchases, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made them shop earlier than usual. Flash mobs have taken thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from San Francisco's streets, including shoplifters.

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. This could have resulted in innocent bystanders being hurt. You can avoid being victim to shoplifting during Black Friday by shopping smart and staying alert. Santa Rosa Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you to protect your rights.

Shoplifting is a serious problem during Black Friday, despite all the positive news. In the peak holiday shopping season alone, police reported 13 arrests in this valley. Security experts say it's impossible to catch every thief. Police have made significant improvements to their security measures in order to stop thefts on Black Friday. You'll never know when a thief might be lurking 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. The chaos caused police to have to work overtime to keep order. The chaos in shops was perfect for shoplifting, robberies and other crimes. These are the reasons why Black Friday became so popular. But how did Black Friday happen? Read on to discover more.

Black Friday is a byproduct American consumerist culture. The Gilded Age was a time when capitalism and consumerism drove up prices and caused a financial crisis in the United States. Jay Gould, Jim Fisk and other crooks took advantage of this to drive up the gold price. The price of toilet paper rose to an unprecedented level due to the fact that the pair controlled the supply.

Black Friday was originally a negative term but it became a positive term. It was virtually unknown for a decade before exploding in popularity. There is a fascinating history to the term. Bonnie Taylor-Blake is a neuroscientist at the University of North Carolina and is the leading authority on its etymology. This era is over, but it still evokes panic and fear.

Black Friday has become more globalized due to the rise of mobile and eCommerce technology. American online giants led the growth of Black Friday. Today, Amazon operates in fourteen local markets, offering fierce competition to global movers. Jumia (based out of Nigeria) is another formidable rival. Despite these challenges Black Friday still remains a significant event in the world retail.

Cyber Monday: The Impact

Cyber Monday sales had mixed effects on Black Friday sales. Analysts cite the impact of fewer discounts and fewer choices. The supply-chain disruptions that have occurred and worries about global supply chains may also have discouraged retailers. Retailers would be wise to spread out promotional offers over several days, and not just one, regardless of the reasons. This strategy can help retailers maintain profit margins while allowing them to better manage their inventory. Cyber Monday is now the second most popular shopping day of the calendar, behind Black Friday.

Companies should promote their products and services during the week that is leading up to Cyber Tuesday. Cyber Monday shoppers should be concerned about delivery options as they can't return products the same way as in-store. Although companies may offer fast delivery and a clear return policy to their customers, 23% of respondents felt that faster shipping would be beneficial. Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day in the U.S., with more than $18 billion in sales.

Although Cyber Monday and Black Friday are becoming more interchangeable, there are still differences in the way each day should be approached. Cyber sales are usually announced by retailers on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Many Cyber sales featured repeats of Black Friday deals, but some were genuinely unique, such as discounted Apple Watch Series 6 and a unique Nintendo Switch gaming bundle. Despite the similarities, there is no definitive answer as to which is better, as both holidays offer a variety of discounts on popular products.

Mastercard's study found that Cyber Monday had a negative impact on Black Friday sales. While overall sales increased by 29.8% on Black Friday compared to last year, online sales only rose 10.6%. While the exact impact of Covid-19 is still unclear, retailers should be aware. This year's Cyber Monday will likely be more successful than last. However, Black Friday is still the top sales holiday in the US.

The Cyber Monday discount has been especially notable for electronics. All items, including electronics, saw significant price drops. These offers come with a few caveats. There is a possibility that retailers will raise prices to reflect inflation. However, consumers will benefit from the savings. Cyber Monday deals also extend into the rest of the holiday period, which may decrease their share of the holiday season. Cyber Monday's impact on Black Friday is much more important in the online retail industry.

Influence of Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday on Black Friday's influence is evident. This is because holiday season is when most consumers openly accept sales pitches. According to an American Express survey in 2016, more than 135,000,000 Americans took part in Small Business Saturday on social media. This is a great opportunity to encourage customers to support local businesses and get involved in their communities. It also boosts overall sales. Small Business Saturday has many benefits. You should plan early so you can take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Promoting your store and drawing more foot traffic is one of the best ways you can make the most out of this event. Small businesses are dependent on foot traffic. This means you must market yourself to make it profitable in this competitive environment. You can attract people to your store by posting ads on social media. Alternatively, you can host a pep rally and invite neighbors to buy local items.

The Small Business Saturday initiative has been around for some time and can be a great way to raise brand awareness. American Express's advertising campaigns nationwide have received more than three million Facebook Likes. This is a great way of piggybacking on the marketing campaign. Your visibility will be increased and your brand will gain credibility. Small Business Saturday can be a great way for your company to stay ahead of sales projections and gain an advantage on prime shopping days.

It is important to note the influence of Small Business Saturday on Black Friday. According to the study, antique shops ranked as the most profitable type of retail businesses on the day. This retail activity contributed 131% to the total revenue of Small Business Saturday. The top-performing retail types on Saturday were gift and novelty shops. Many small retailers have already joined the Small Business Saturday movement and seen an increase in sales.

FAQ

Are there other things that I should know about buying clothes online

Before buying clothes online, you need to be aware of several things. First, be sure to measure yourself. It might seem obvious, however most companies do not provide this information so you will have to guess.

Also, consider shipping costs. Shipping costs will vary depending upon the item ordered. It is important to know exactly where your parcel is going. Some items ship directly to the manufacturer, while others go through third-party warehouses. Delivery times can be affected by this.

Finally, read reviews carefully. There are many poor experiences. Don't let other people's experiences influence yours.

Why I shouldn't believe the sale hype in stores and online shops?

Some sites will exaggerate the cost of an item's initial price to make it seem like you are getting more. This is why it's important to do your research and verify the prices that are being offered. To make sure you don't lose the item, add it to your cart. Next, do a quick Google search of the name of the designer and the product type you are looking for. You may find that the amazing deal you thought you were getting isn't actually so great after all. You might even be able to find the exact same item at a lower price.

Do I really need to register a credit card number in order to shop online with it?

Registering for your credit is optional. You may want to register your credit card if you would like to receive discounts and special offers. It's always recommended to protect yourself by verifying your identity with your bank.

Do you believe it is important to use coupons at grocery shops?

Coupons can be a good way to save money. Be aware that not all discounts are available. The best thing you can do is to try to match coupons with sale prices.

To maximize savings, coupons can also be combined. If you have two coupons for $2/1, you can combine them to create a $4/3 coupon.

What if I want to buy clothes online?

Absolutely! It is actually much easier to buy clothing online. All major retailers offer free returns. Print out a label and send it by mail.

But, you won't get a refund until the item arrives. To return the product if you have a different opinion, please let us know.

Are there any tips and tricks that I can use to save money online shopping?

You should first make a list. Then go through each item on your list and decide which one you prefer to buy at a lower cost. Once you have made a decision, compare prices from different websites. You should compare prices across multiple websites to determine the lowest price for each product.

Why it is so important to have a shopping checklist

A shopping list is useful to remember what you need when grocery shopping. It will help you not run around the grocery store looking for items that you have forgotten. You can also use a shopping list to help you find the right aisle if you are not sure.

In addition, a shopping list will save you money. If you know that you have to buy milk, bread, eggs and butter, you can quickly pick up all the items you need while shopping at the supermarket.

Statistics

Your Online Purchases 79% of Americans purchased goods and services online in 2018, which is expected to exceed 90% in 2023. (meetfabric.com)
All items on AliExpress have an estimated delivery time on the product page, and it's usually anywhere from 20 to 60 days. (makeuseof.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)

External Links

bbb.org

How To

Is it safe to shop online?

Yes! The internet is one the most secure places to conduct business. It is simple to secure yourself with security software. You can also keep your personal information private.

Online shopping has become very popular because it allows people to get exactly what they want without leaving their homes.

You should remember to use common sense while shopping online. Also, be sure to follow safety precautions.

Don't, for instance, give out credit card numbers over the phone. You should hang up immediately if you get a call from someone pretending that they are your bank.

Never send sensitive information like account numbers and passwords via email. Instead, log in to your accounts via a secure site.

It is a good practice to look at the address bar in your browser before you input any personal information. For those who are worried about identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission or Better Business Bureau can offer free services.

These organizations will monitor your transactions and alert you if anything suspicious happens.

They will notify you if anyone attempts to steal and identity.

Here are some tips for avoiding being scammed.

Never give out financial details over the telephone or by email.
Never click on links within unsolicited emails.
Avoid clicking on ads that ask for your personal information.
Never enter your password/PIN for a site or application you did not initiate.
Always verify that you're on the correct website before submitting personal information.
Avoid sites that ask you for personal data in order to prove they are legitimate.
Before submitting personal information, verify all addresses and contact information.
Pay attention to hidden charges
Keep copies of receipts so that you can later dispute unauthorized charges.
Report fraudulent activity to the FTC, BBB, your local police department, and/or your state attorney general.
When you make purchases online, take advantage of offers and discounts.