Retail CEOs say online marketplaces are fueling ‘flash mob’ robberies. They want Congress to step in.
A letter signed by the chief executives of Best Buy, Target, Nordstrom and other brands urged lawmakers to make it harder for people to remain anonymous when they sell things online.
washingtonpost.comThe pistol police said the Oxford high school shooting suspect used was one of nearly 700,000 firearms that Americans bought or tried to buy during Black Friday sales
The FBI conducted 687,788 background checks related to firearm purchases during the week leading up to and including Black Friday.
news.yahoo.comCyber Monday 2021: Deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target and others
Cyber Monday sales Retailers have posted their Cyber Monday sales on TVs, phones, computers and more. (MicroStockHub/Getty Images/iStockphoto)With Black Friday in the rearview mirror and Christmas just under four weeks away, holiday shopping is getting serious. >> Read more trending newsBelow are some of the deals retailers are rolling out for Cyber Monday, and in some cases, for Cyber Week. Deals on computers· 2020 Apple iMac (21.5-inch): $799 (save $300)· Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360: $1,000 (save $500)· Samsung Galaxy 13.3-inch Chromebook: $599 (save $400)· Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop: $249 (save $149)· Dell Vostro 7510: $1,249 (save $1,178)· Asus Chromebook 11.6-inch: $109 (save $110)Deals on phones· Samsung - Galaxy S20 FE 5G 128GB (Unlocked) - Cloud Navy: $699.99· Apple iPhone 13 - 128 GB - Pink - Verizon with installment: $0.00 now, $26.66 a month for 30 months· Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max - Graphite - 128GB: $0.00 now, $36.67 a month for 30 months· Straight Talk Samsung Galaxy A11,- Prepaid Smartphone: $69 (save $30)· Google Pixel 5a: $349· Samsung Galaxy S21: $249 w/ trade-inDeals on TVs· Samsung 70-inch TU6985 4K TV: $600 (save $150)· LG 43-inch Class 4K UHD Smart TV: $400 (save $80)· Insignia 43-inch 4K Fire TV: $249 (save $60)· TCL 55-inch Class 4-Series 4K Roku Smart TV: $358· Hisense 65-inch Android TV: $649 (save $200)· Toshiba 65-inch C350 4K TV: $499 (save $220)· Samsung 65-inch 4K TV: $548Deals on streaming devices· Fire TV Stick 4K: $24.99 (save $25)· TiVo Stream 4: $29.99 (save $10)· Fire TV Cube: $79.99 (save $30)· Roku 1080P Streaming Device with Remote Control: $19.99 (save $10)Deals on headphones· Apple AirPods Pro: $179 (save $70)· Powerbeats Pro: $149 (save $100)· Bose QuietComfort 45: $279 (save $50)· Jabra Elite Active 75t: $69 (save $80)· Echo Buds (2nd Gen): $69.99 (save $50)Here are some quick links to retailers with Cyber Monday deals:· Amazon· Best Buy· Costco· Dell· Home Depot· HP· Kohl’s· Lowes· Macy’s· Nectar Mattress· Nordstrom Rack· Target· TwelveSouth· Verizon· Walmart©2021 Cox Media Group
wftv.comAt least 1 injured in shooting at Tacoma Mall in Washington
Tacoma Mall Authorities are investigating a shooting reported at the Tacoma Mall in Washington on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Ron Wurzer/Getty Images, File)TACOMA, Wash. — At least one person was injured on Black Friday in a shooting reported at the Tacoma Mall, KIRO-TV reported. Darren Moss Jr. of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department told KIRO that people were hiding in the mall Friday night after between three and 15 shots were fired in the food court. >> See the latest on KIRO7.comBREAKING: Police and deputies have converged on Tacoma Mall due to gunfire at the food court. https://t.co/eNKPNPpzhc — KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) November 27, 2021Several people called 911 to report the shooting just after 7 p.m. PST, The News Tribune reported.
wftv.com1 shot by loss prevention officer outside Washington Walmart, police say
Walmart store A Walmart store is seen on February 18, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images, File)KENNEWICK, Wash. — A loss prevention officer shot a man outside a Walmart Supercenter in Kennewick on Black Friday after the man attempted to steal merchandise from the store, according to police. He pulled out a firearm after he was met by the loss prevention officer outside the store. >> Read more on KIRO7.com“The loss prevention officer, who was a concealed carry permit holder, produced his own firearm and shot at the suspect several times, striking him,” Kiel said. “At this point, I don’t have any information that we’re going to be charging the loss prevention officer,” Kiel said, adding that the officer was uninjured and cooperating with investigators.
wftv.comWhat is Giving Tuesday and how can you help?
Days after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, comes Giving Tuesday. But what is Giving Tuesday and how can you help those who need it? >> Read more trending newsAccording to GivingTuesday.org, the day is a “worldwide celebration of generosity” and a time where people can work together through “acts of kindness and giving their voice, time, money, goods, and advocacy.”So what are ways you can help? Giving Tuesday doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give money. For an idea of different ways in which you can participate, Giving Tuesday’s website can connect you with organizations and movements.
wftv.comTarget already planning on no Thanksgiving Day shopping for 2021
FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 file photo, people walk through the parking lot at a Target store in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)It’s not even Valentine’s Day and Target is already making 2021 holiday plans. The retailer announced it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day again. Target and other retailers were closed this past Thanksgiving to help reduce crowds and flatten the curve amid the coronavirus pandemic. Target also announced its holiday sales for November and December were up more than 17% from the year before.
Retail sales fell 1.1% in November, biggest drop in 7 months
U.S. retail sales fell a seasonally adjusted 1.1% in November, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. The Commerce Department on Wednesday also revised October’s report, saying that retail sales fell 0.1% that month, instead of rising 0.3% as it previously reported. Economists expect retail sales to fall again this month as virus cases spike and states add more restrictions. “It will take a miracle to keep retail sales positive in December," said Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at global financial group MUFG. The few bright spots were online sales, which rose 0.2%, supermarket sales, up 1.9%, and sales at home improvement stores, which were up 1.1%.
Amazon sales surge during record-breaking 2020 holiday shopping season
All rights reserved)Amazon is reporting record-breaking sales over the holiday shopping season so far. The company said on Tuesday that this year’s holiday shopping season has been its largest. Amazon said small and medium-sized businesses that use the platform took-in nearly $5 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a 60% jump from last year. The firm says sales grew 22% for the period from Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. Analysts say it is evident that the pandemic is leading more people to shop online.
Black Friday sees record online as US shoppers stay home
Black Friday online sales hit a new record this year as pandemic-wary Americans filled virtual carts instead of real ones. Consumers spent an estimated $9 billion on U.S. retail websites on Black Friday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping. Field said stores may be rethinking the cost of paying employees and opening on Thanksgiving when they could easily make up for those sales online. Adobe expects Monday to be the largest online sales day in U.S. history, with estimated spending of $10.8 billion to $12.7 billion. One reason for the big numbers is that people are shopping online for things such as groceries and alcohol that they bought in person before the pandemic, Adobe said.
Leesburg encouraging people to shop local with ‘Plaid Friday’
LEESBURG, Fla. – In downtown Leesburg, instead of Black Friday, they’re calling it Plaid Friday, encouraging people to shop local. “It’s been quieter, but we still have customers that are faithful,” said Dell Ross, owner of Doggibags Boutique. [TRENDING: Trump says he will leave if ... | Tropics still bubblin’ | Disney to lay off thousands more workers]Doggibags Boutique has been in downtown Leesburg for nearly 40 years. Leesburg is encouraging people to shop local through the "Plaid Friday" event. (WKMG 2020)Outside her shop, vendors are setting up for the Christmas Stroll event with live music and activities.
Shoppers line up days ahead in hopes of buying PS5 gaming systems
Shoppers in Central Florida are seeing a much different Black Friday experience as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes for holiday shopping this year. Most stores remained closed on Thanksgiving and spread-out deals to avoid large crowds. Many stores eliminated or reduced the number of doorbuster sales and limited the number of people allowed inside. “I was kind of shocked about that, but then again it was expected because a lot of people lost their jobs.”Some shoppers remained outside the store and instead opted for curbside pickup. Despite the concerns and financial strain on many families, the National Retail Federation expects holiday shopping to increase by as much as 5%.
Florida police called to GameStop for Black Friday line cutter
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was twice called to a GameStop at River City Marketplace for a man accused of disrupting the Black Friday line outside the store, WJXT-TV reported. The next time the man showed up, his family came with him, witnesses said. Then he, three more adults and three kids tried to claim the spot in line where the chair was originally left, they said. He was just asked to leave, he had his kids here with him.” said Josh Lebeque, who was waiting outside the store. People in line say they were waiting for the Black Friday sale of the new Xbox and PlayStation.
The Latest: Illinois surpasses 12,000 deaths from COVID-19
(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois has risen above 12,000 deaths from COVID-19, while also surpassing the 700,000 mark for confirmed coronavirus infections. The Health Department said the situation constituted an “alert,” and said that nationwide, infections had risen by over 8% last week. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have asked the FDA to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The state health department reported 5,704 new cases on Friday, putting the state at 3,476 deaths and 295,001 cases since March. ___TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he expects more than half of Canadians to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by next September.
Virus keeps Black Friday crowds thin, shoppers shift online
Black Friday shoppers wear face masks as the leave Saks Fifth Avenue flagships store empty handed, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in New York. Crowds at stores were dramatically diminished as shoppers shifted online. Black Friday is projected to generate $10 billion in online sales, a 39% bump from the year ago period, according to Adobe. And Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, will remain the biggest online shopping day of the year with $12.7 billion in sales, a 35% jump. At a popular shopping area in St. Petersburg, Florida, several storefronts were empty, and the only line was at a plasma donation center.
Many Central Floridians opt out of in-person Black Friday shopping
Across the region, most stores were empty and shuttered on Thanksgiving, a stark contrast to years prior when the deep discounts began on Turkey Day. He and several others said braving the Black Friday crowds just isn’t worth it this year. Last year, shoppers in Central Florida lined up hours early and many stores were even open on Thanksgiving Day. This year, many stores were closed on Thanksgiving since there won’t be as many customers. “That’s why I wanted to be here first and not crowded with a bunch of people.”For information on which stores will be open on Black Friday, click here.
Universal Orlando offers families limited time Black Friday deal with up to 40% off
ORLANDO, Fla – Usually Black Friday is packed with deals on TVs, clothing and stocking stuffers, but now families can grab a discounted vacation package from Universal Orlando Resort. The theme park is set to offer its best vacation package ever on Friday. The entire deal is valued at $2,154 but Universal said families that book can save as much as $1,292, based on a family of four. The incredible deal is limited in quantities and Universal stresses it will sell out fast. Universal is also offering Florida residents a limited time offer, which includes savings up to $100 on select annual passes until Dec. 17.
France postpones 'Black Friday' to help locked-down shops
The approach of “Black Friday," originally scheduled for Nov. 27 in France, had brought the dilemma to a head. The director of Amazon France, Frederic Duval, told France Info radio on Friday before the meeting that the e-commerce distributor was ready to sign up to a delay. The delay applies only to Amazon France, he added. “If we can’t open our shops for Christmas it will be very difficult for the sector,” she said. “There are already a lot of flower shops that suffer greatly so, today, we need help and coherence.”
These retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day will certainly be different for some amid the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing precautions have caused some families to cancel holiday meals or adjust the way in which they gather. [TRENDING: Disney World increasing capacity | 250,000 space fans to drive near Cape for launch | Meteor shower coming soon]Retailers have also adjusted to the current times and many have elected to stay closed on Thanksgiving Day when normally they would be pushing Black Friday deals early. However, there are still a group of stores that have chosen to stay open on the holiday, according to BlackFriday.com. Here are the stores staying open on ThanksgivingBass Pro Shops: Opens at 8 a.m.Bealls: Open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.Big Lots: Open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.Cabela’s: Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Claire’s: Open from 5 p.m. to midnightCVS: 24-hour locations openDollar General: Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.Family Dollar: Open but hours vary by storeFive Below: Open from 6 p.m. to midnightFred Meyer: Normal hours of operationKmart: Open from 6 a.m. to midnightMeijer: Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Modell’s: Open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.New York & Company: Opens at 6 p.m.Palais Royal: Open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.Peebles: Open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.Rite Aid: 24-hour locations are openStage Stores: Open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.Victoria’s Secret: Select stores are openWalgreens: 24-hour locations are open
Lowe’s holiday deals kick off Thursday
Halloween is not even here yet, and Lowe’s is already kicking off its Christmas holiday shopping specials. The home improvement chain is starting its new “Seasons of Savings” sale Thursday. The big-box retailer believes the holiday shopping season this year will be unlike any other because of the pandemic. Instead of a traditional Black Friday sale, Lowe’s will offer daily online-only “cyber steals” starting Thursday through Dec. 2. The home improvement chain is also planning to offer gifts you might not expect from them, to become more of a one-stop shop for the holidays.
Walmart spreading Black Friday deals throughout November
Millions of shoppers look forward to Black Friday deals each year, but the long lines and packed stores won’t be happening in 2020 -- at least not at Walmart. Walmart says it wants to adapt to the needs of its customers, so instead of one deal-filled day after Thanksgiving, there will be events throughout November. The company is calling the event Deals for Days. Walmart says shoppers will also be able to buy online and schedule a contact-free curbside pick up. The retailer says it will limit the number of people inside, stress social distancing and place products on one side of the aisle.
Walmart to spread out deals to avoid Black Friday crowds
NEW YORK – Walmart says it will spread out its traditional one-day Black Friday deals over three weekends in November in an effort to reduce crowds in its stores during a pandemic. The discounter, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, will kick off the deals online Nov. 4, with new deals in stores on Nov. 7. The second event will begin online Nov. 11, followed by a similar sales event in stores Nov. 14. It will wrap up its discounts online Nov. 25 with new discounts in stores Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional Black Friday. This holiday season, many stores are starting their holiday deals in October.
Pandemic pushes start of holiday shopping earlier than ever
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)NEW YORK – Add last-minute holiday shopping to the list of time-honored traditions being upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Black Friday has long been the unofficial start to the U.S. holiday season, though retailers have been pushing holiday shopping earlier for the last decade or so. The first big holiday push will come from Amazon, which is positioning its mid-October Prime Day as a kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Even with the early start to the season, holiday sales are expected to deliver smaller gains than in recent years. Joel Bines, who runs the retail practice at AlixPartners, thinks the earlier shopping will stick even when the pandemic is over.
Amazon Prime Day set for mid-October
Amazon Prime Day is set for Oct. 13 and 14, the company announced Monday. Prime Day is Amazon’s version of Christmas in the summer, with sales routinely outpacing Black Friday. Amazon Prime Vice President Jamil Ghani says the company thinks Prime Day will be bigger this year than ever before. Amazon has thrived during the pandemic as consumers purchase more goods online to limit store visits. The company reported $88.9 billion in sales during its latest quarter ending June 30, a 40% jump from the same period a year earlier.
Walmart hiring 20,000 to prepare for online shopping season
Walmart is getting ready to go online with its Black Friday plan by hiring more than 20,000 seasonal workers. Instead, Walmart says they will be a part of its e-commerce fulfillment centers across the country. The company said it expects to see a spike in online shopping this year. For instance, the company says it will spread traditional Black Friday deals throughout the season. Walmart typically kicks off Black Friday with in-store deals on Thanksgiving.
Target joins Walmart in ending Thanksgiving store shopping
NEW YORK Target is joining Walmart in closing its stores on Thanksgiving Day, ending a decadelong tradition of jump-starting Black Friday door buster sales. Now, the virus has turned the holiday shopping model upside down. Historically, deal hunting and holiday shopping can mean crowded events, and this isnt a year for crowds, Minneapolis-based Target said in a corporate blog posted. Despite competition from Thanksgiving shopping, Black Friday ranks as either the top or No. Like Target, other retailers will also likely start holiday sales even earlier to stretch out crowds.
Coronavirus might mean less Corona beer on Cinco de Mayo
But we’re referring to Corona beer and Cinco de Mayo. Typically, the dominant choice of beer for those celebrating Cinco de Mayo is Corona. But Corona likely will be consumed way less than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic, that is unrelated in name. In February, a report in the Denver Post said Corona was taking a public relations hit due to people fearing they would get coronavirus by drinking Corona. Cinco de Mayo has surpassed St. Patrick’s Day and the Super Bowl for beer consumption on one day, with Corona virtually holding a monopoly on advertising and sales for beer on Cinco de Mayo, according to Loop Insights.
Holiday money-saving strategies that can backfire
FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2019, file photo a shopper carries a crockpot during Target's Black Friday sale in the Borough of New York. Shopping at sales and using coupons may not be saving you as much money as you think. Knowing the pitfalls and having a plan can help keep your holiday shopping from coming back to bite you in January. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Millennial Money: Secrets of a Black Friday Shopper
FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2018, file photo people wait in line in front of an adjacent pet store for a Best Buy store to open for an early Black Friday sale on Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park, Kan. Black Friday is Nov. 29, 2019, but it might as well be the whole month of November. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Millennial Money: Secrets of a Black Friday Shopper
Some people cringe at the thought of shopping on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, but I revel in it. You can snag savings throughout November, but despite early deals, retailers like Walmart, Target and Best Buy reserve some of their best bargains for Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Kohl's have done this in the past. Years prior, I stood in a two-hour line at Best Buy to purchase a single TV. Select the best deals and stick to those items.