SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Black Friday shoppers target deals online while law enforcement cracks down on in-person, organized retail theft.
Many of this year’s deals started earlier in the week, according to the National Retail Federation. The pandemic was a driving factor in the increase in online shopping, and 59% of shoppers have already made a purchase.
Black Friday, however, is predicted by the National Retail Federation to be the busiest shopping day from now until Cyber Monday.
“The number one thing that you should always wait until Black Friday to buy is a TV,” said Samantha Gordon, the deals editor for Consumer Reports. “We’ve seen year after year their absolute best prices are on Black Friday itself.”
The Arden Fair Mall's Best Buy within the shopping center was calm Thursday evening.
Steve Reed used to serve as Arden Fair’s head of security.
“In Arden Fair, when I was there, we had a place where we could hold your packages while they continued their shopping,” Reed said. “You can also have a security officer walk outside with them.”
Police presence was increased following two robberies in two days starting Sunday at the Roseville Galleria mall, authorities said.
Security is heightened all across California as law enforcement gears up to prevent retail theft amid the holiday season.
“To the criminals who are tempted to engage in retail theft and believe this is an easy score, the deck is stacked against you,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Law enforcement is organized and proactively taking steps to identify, arrest and hold you accountable.”
A dozen new retail theft task forces formed or forming across the state have been made available through grant funding, Duryee said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and San Francisco District Attorney’s Office are partnering agencies in that effort.
“Viral videos of group stealing from stores throughout our state continue to be an issue,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “There were just several such thefts this week.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna created a 32-person task force through grants to combat retail crime, Francisco said. There is a detective within the force specifically designated to keep an open line of communication with the business community and residents.
The 32 task force members are assigned to different geographic areas.
The target is not only individuals committing the retail theft but also the criminal chain including getaway drivers and those selling the items online or in person, according to the sheriff’s office.
Shoppers who witness a crime should alert an employee and call 911.
“Make sure that you identify yourself in that call because oftentimes what we need are eyewitnesses who can help to identify these perpetrators later or can help serve as a witness in a future prosecution,” said Jenkins. “If you just call anonymously, it can make it difficult for us on the back end.”
The National Retail Federation said 15 million more people will shop in 2023 in comparison to last year. Most stores offer 30% off.
A list of Black Friday shopping hours for some of the largest retailers can be found HERE.
