Thank you to all the retail professionals who keep retail moving during the busiest, and sometimes wildest, week of the year. Thank you to our readers who make the Retail Rundown part of their day, share stories, spark conversations, and help drive this industry forward. Whether you're working the front lines or finally grabbing a moment with family, we’re grateful to have you as part of this community. You make retail safer, smarter, and better every single day.
And a special thank you to our partners whose support helps us keep this community informed, connected, and growing:
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And hey… whether you’re team turkey, team tofurky, or just in it for the pie, we hope your leftovers are as good as the debate we sparked.
More people shop on Black Friday than the number of people who watched the last Super Bowl!
Once upon a holiday season, a marketing analyst was juggling leftovers and spreadsheets the Friday after Thanksgiving. As they skimmed through shopper turnout reports, they did a double-take. “Wait... more people hit the stores on Black Friday than tuned in for the Super Bowl?”
Cue the record scratch. That’s right! While 123 million fans cheered from couches across America, 182 million shoppers were sprinting through sales, dodging carts like linebackers, and celebrating deals like a game-winning field goal.
Suddenly, it all made sense: Black Friday isn’t just a shopping day… it’s America’s other favorite sport.
Source: NRF & Nielson Media Research
Holiday Theft: What You May Be Missing from Your Security Checklist
With the holiday shopping season approaching, retailers face what may be considered their most challenging time of year for theft prevention. While increased foot traffic brings welcomed sales, it also creates unprecedented security challenges requiring more than traditional measures.
By the Numbers According to the Council on Criminal Justice, theft during the 2024 holiday months increased 14% compared to other times of the year, the most significant difference observed during the analyzed time frame.
While clothing and accessories remain top targets, retailers and grocers also experience significant spikes in theft of everyday items. The trend encompasses traditional shoplifting, pushout theft, and an alarming increase in organized retail crime (ORC). These continued trends helped make October 24 National Fight Retail Crime Day, as recognized by the National Retail Federation.
We’ll Be Back December 1st
Until then, we hope your turkey is juicy, your scanners work on the first try, your Wi-Fi stays up, and your shrink stays low.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Retail Rundown team. Stay safe and enjoy the pie.
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