SIKESTON -- With the most popular day to shop across all age groups approaching on Friday, consumers are also reminded to be safe in the process.
Nearly six in 10 Americans -- an estimated 137.4 million people -- plan to or are considering shopping during Thanksgiving weekend, according to National Retail Federation's annual survey. The numbers include in-store and online shopping from Thursday through Sunday.
"Black Friday remains one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with Americans planning to take advantage of aggressive in-store and digital promotions over the entire holiday weekend," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Retailers know consumers are spreading out their holiday budgets to shop throughout the season. While there's no doubt of the incredible promotions offered during the weekend, the holiday shopping season is long and consumers will look for and expect great deals down to the very last minute."
The survey conducted by Prosper Insights found that 21 percent of weekend shoppers plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, nearly the same as last year's 22 percent.
But Black Friday will remain the busiest day of the holiday weekend with 74 percent planning to shop that day, the same as in 2015. A substantial 47 percent are expected to shop on Saturday; of those shoppers, 24 percent say they will do so specifically to support Small Business Saturday, up from 22 percent last year. On Sunday, 24 percent expect to shop.
According to the survey, 77 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 76 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds plan to shop over the weekend. As with shoppers overall, Black Friday is the day most millennial weekend shoppers plan to shop -- 86 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 78 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds.
"Millennials continue to drive the trend of hitting the stores -- both on their feet and online -- as soon as the turkey is finished," Prosper Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow said. "Whether they're hoping to find gifts for themselves or for the folks on their lists, they will do their research to find the best deals of the weekend and have allotted a large part of their holiday budget for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday spending."
With so many people expected to be out shopping this weekend, it also increases the chances for someone to be a victim of robbery.
Capt. James McMillen, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety, offered safety tips for local shoppers who will be out and about this weekend.
"Lock your car, and in doing that, don't leave anything out in plain view," McMillen said. Store packages in a locked truck, he suggested.
Individuals should already keep a blanket inside their vehicle for cold-weather emergencies so they can also use that to cover up their items, McMillen said.
"As you're shopping, be aware of when you're going to your vehicle and loading items and of strangers approaching you," McMillen said. "Strong-armed robberies or people snatching purses often occur as shoppers are loading items into their vehicles and not paying attention."
It's also a good idea to have an exit plan in mind when entering or leaving a parking lot.
"Everyone needs to have a plan of what they're going to do in case that interaction occurs," McMillen said. "The responses are really important because those people evaluate you quickly. When there's doubt, they really start manipulating."
McMillen recommended shoppers use the buddy system when shopping. There is safety in numbers.
"A single person is a better target than two or more," McMillen said. "If there are two shoppers, one person can be looking out and the other loading up the vehicle."
Anything shoppers can do to slow down or thwart burglary can help their odds of not becoming a victim, McMillen said.
"Burglars do not want to confront anybody," he said. "Typically, they just want to get in there and take what they want."
The National Crime Prevention Council offered more tips to help consumers shop safely while getting bargains this holiday season.
"Do not buy more than you can carry," NCP said. "Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car."
The Council also suggested saving all receipts. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help verify credit card or bank statements as they come in, NCPC said.
Shoppers should also wait until asked before taking out their credit cards or checkbooks, the Council said, as a potential thief could look over their shoulders to get account information.
One way to deter pickpockets is to carry purses close to bodies or wallets inside a coat or front trouser pocket, the Council said.
"Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle," NCPC said. "Check the back seat and around the car before getting in."