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November 24, 2011 • www.brainerddispatch.com
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Make This Black Friday
30th annUaL tOYs FOr Kids dOnatiOn drOp OFF LOcatiOns
a SaFE oNE There are some people who get the ultimate rush by waking up early and waiting in line for some amazing doorbuster deals at the stores. Although Black Friday is one of the hotly anticipated shopping events for shoppers to score momentous deals, it has also proven a recipe for disaster.
into stores, something bad just may happen.
Last year, Dr. David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was quoted as saying, ÒC rowdrelated injuries during special retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years. Many Stampeding masses of eager shop- of these incidents can be prevented pers has been all too common on by adopting a crowd management Black Friday through the years. Cou- plan.Ó pled with anticipation of impendJust what is a crowd-management ing sales and the sheer volume of plan? OSHA has developed a guide shoppers waiting outside of stores, for retailers to help avoid accidents mob mentality often prevails. ItÕ s surand mayhem. The National Retail vival of the fittest as some shoppers Federation also issued guidelines push, shove and run inside of doors for similar promotional events that to nab the must-have products on draw crowds. Contingency plans for sale. larger-than-expected crowds should In 2008, a sales clerk was trampled be put into place, as should thorto death by a crowd of 2,000 people ough communication plans. who knocked the man to the ground Some stores have implemented their at a Wal-Mart store in Valley Stream, own policies, including requiring NY. Later the same day, two people wrist bands to control the amount were shot dead at a Toys ÔRÕ U s of people in the store at any given store in Southern California after an time. Other stores have formed lines argument. Many store employees in separate areas to avoid crowds at have tales of picking up trampled the front of the stores. people who have been run over at various retailers on Black Friday. Individuals shopping can also do their part. While Black Friday shopAlthough ÒBl ack FridayÓ r efers to a ping has become a tradition for store’s profit margin and their ability many, oftentimes better deals can be to be Òi n the blackÓ whe n tallying had at different points in the holiday end-of-year sales, the moniker does season. Some argue that shopping seem to have an ominous feel to on Thanksgiving Day yields better it. ÒBl ack FridayÓ se ems to conjure sales and that those doorbusters are up images of something bad haponly ways to draw you into the store pening. When unruly mobs race for other products that donÕ t have
YOUr GiFt FOr a LOcaL chiLd 0-15 Years OF aGe MaY Be LeFt at anY OF these LOcatiOns BetWeen nOV. 25 Ð dec.14.
BaXter
Brainerd Lakes Area Board of Realtors Ð Brainerd Savings and Loan Ð Crosby Eye Clinic Ð Crow Wing Power Ð Culvers Ð Dondelinger Chevrolet Ð Frandsen Bank & Trust Ð Gander Mountain Ð Gull Lake Glass Ð Hiwayan Club (MNDOT) Ð In-Fisherman Communications- Integra TeleCom Ð Menards Ð Mid-Minnesota Fed. Credit Union Ð Mid-State Heating and Air Cond. Ð Mills Fleet Farm Ð Mills Ford Ð Mills GMC Ð MN Pollution Control Agency Ð Norson Builders Ð Riddles Jewelry Ð Riverwood Bank Ð Westgate Mall Office – Widseth, Smith, Nolting – WJJY Radio
Brainerd
the same wow factor. Keep in mind that many online retailers also offer Black Friday sales that are comparable and you donÕ t have to wait outside in the cold to get them.
3WI Radio – AFCME Crow Wing Co. Auditor’s Office Ð Brainerd American Legion Ð Brainerd Fire Department Ð Brainerd Savings and Loan Ð Brainerd VFW Club Ð Bremer Bank Ð Crow Wing Co. Jail Ð Crow Wing Co. Law Enforcement Center Ð Edgewood Vista Ð GiovanniÕ s Pizza Ð Mid-Minnesota Fed. Credit Union Ð PeopleÕ s Bank – Salvation Army Office - Senior Center – U. S. Marine Corps Recruiting Office – Walgreen’s – Wendy’s Ð Westwood Professional Services
crOsBY/irOntOn
Crosby Eye Clinic Ð Mid-Minnesota Fed.Credit Union ÐI ronton American Legion - Papa JohnÕ s Pizza Ð True Value Hardware
Should you still go to a favorite MerriFieLd/nissWa brick-and-mortar store in the wee Grandview Lodge Ð Nortech Systems hours of the morning, experts urge (Toys For Kids is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization) putting personal safety above saving money.