guardNOW can provide security for Black Friday. Started in 1966, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and has become the unofficial start to the Christmas shopping season. Retailers across the country project much of their revenue on this single day. Shopping centers expect and prepare for large crowds, parking issues and upset customers.
Because of a shopper’s eagerness to find a bargain – especially during tough economic times – crowd management and safety is a concern for many shoppers and retailers. In 2008, a 38 year-old New York Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death after a stampede of “Black Friday” shoppers rushed into the store after eagerly waiting outside. Crowd-control issues in other states also have led to injuries and, in one case, death, in the past five years. After the Wal-Mart tragedy, OSHA issued a crowd control guidelines for retailers.
Under the theory of “premises liability”, store owners and retail corporations have a responsibility to keep their premises safe and free from known hazards that might cause injury to shoppers. Common injuries that occur on store premises include slip and fall accidents, injuries stemming from falling boxes or merchandise, and exposure to toxic chemicals, but may also include injuries due to poor planning and inadequate security measures.
Security for Black Friday is as big part of the total preparation that is made to accommodate the holiday rush. Even if a store location has its own security, during the increase in traffic and shopping activity, retailers often have security beefed up or bring in a third party company such as GuardNOW to come in to help with the expected volume. Loss prevention is of primary concern to our retail clients.
Overall safety of the shoppers and their families is also of utmost importance. Let GuardNOW provide the security that will help you maintain your holiday spirit during Black Friday. The moment of truth for retailers arrives minutes before when they open their doors to massive, sometimes-unruly crowds of shoppers who have been waiting in line for hours or even days. Let your moment be one that proves successful for both shoppers and retailers.
