The researchers found that shoplifting — or what’s euphemistically known as product “shrinkage” — jumped 5.9% in the past year at the more than 1,000 retail chains the group surveyed globally. In previous years, the increase hovered at 1.5% annually. Though the problem was documented across all regions, the steepest increases occurred in North America (8.1%), the Middle East (7.5%) and Europe (4.7%). In terms of total losses, retailers in North America topped the charts at $46 billion, followed by Europe’s $44 billion and $17.9 billion in the Asia-Pacific region. In North America and Latin America, store owners and employees were the leading pilferers; in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, it was customers who were swiping the most loot.

Reports have recently noted that crime has not dramatically increased because of the recession. For those who don’t think that stealing from an employer is theft, then they need to realize that retail theft is still theft just as stealing office supplies or not doing any work while at work.

The study shows that there has been an increase of people stealing items, not that they need, but just things that they want. Basically, this is not Jean Valjean from Hugo’s Les Miserables stealing because of hunger. These are people who are stealing out of greed. Businesses pass these costs along to the shoppers at an average of $436 to the US consumer and $250 to European consumers.

If you can’t afford it, then don’t buy it or steal it.

Retailers aren’t as panicked about the upcoming holiday shopping season as they were last year.

With this scenario in mind, retail experts said their No. 1 tip for gift shoppers this year is grab what you want, when you see it.

“Merchants got burned badly last year when they were left with a lot of unsold merchandise after Christmas,” said George Whalin, retail expert and president and CEO of Retail Management Consultants.

There is a different feel about holiday shopping this year than last year. Retailers have discovered a new normal, which means more sparsely stocked shelves and a high rate of unemployment. If people are unemployed, they may be less likely to spend a lot for Christmas or other holiday gifts.

This news shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has been shopping lately. Remember a couple of years ago when the credit was flowing freely and the choices on the shelves and racks were seemingly endless. Those days are temporarily gone in some places. The only stores that seem to offer more choices are places that cater to crafts and home entertainment since more people are entertaining themselves with crafts and staying home to watch movies.

Since there are fewer items that retailers will offer for sale and will probably have only a limited amount of the “hottest” items available, then it will difficult to get those bargains. This seems hard to believe considering the number of coupons that I currently have and receive regularly that I would actually make purchases from those stores.

Prudent choices when shopping and budgeting before going Christmas shopping makes a big difference especially when paying cash. For people who are really sticking to a budget making the decision to buy one item whether it is the “hot” gift of the season or not will make a greater difference to individuals but to retailers it might. To really stick to a shopping budget giving someone a gift card or cash will help a person not go over budget. Unless you can find a particular item that you know the recipient will love for less than you have budgeted… move on until you find something they will really enjoy and use.

The unemployment rate has officially surpassed the 10% mark.  In actuality, the number is probably much higher considering the unemployment rate doesn’t include people who have been unemployed for a longer period of time and have just given up. There are people who are employed but not earing enough to make ends meet.

If 90% of the labor force is working and sectors such as construction, manufacturing and retail trade are losing the majority of jobs, where will the gains be made? Manufacturing affects the good that can be sold here and abroad.

What about the people who are under the radar and haven’t collected unemployment or are taking time off from their job search. These people that the bureau of Labor Statistics refers to as marginally attached may be seeking employment or are working on a project, volunteering or a money making opportunities.

Even though some sectors may not have people who are unemployed their wages may have decreased such as those who work on commission or tips. The people who are paid in cash for their work may also have noticed a dramatic drop in some of the monies they receive.

An unemployment rate of ten percent doesn’t show the whole picture.

Starbucks is discontinuing its Gold Card program which offered a 10% discount for an annual fee of $25.

I do go to Starbucks but my local coffee house which roasts their own beans and is independently owned. When you buy a pound of coffee you get a free cup of drip coffee free. When you buy loose tea, you get a free cup of tea. If you don’t want the coffee, you can get the discount instead. Recently I went to Starbucks and used a gift card for my purchase and discovered that my local coffeehouse had spoiled me for better coffee.

Some people liked the discount but didn’t want to spend $25 to get the perks. Starbucks isn’t the only retailer that offers a paid membership discount program. Even if you go to a place once or twice a year and purchase the membership you can reap big benefits.

Paying to get discounts can actually work in your favor. I purchased a membership card for a store for $10 and have definitely received more than my $10 worth from the card. The free item that I received for my birthday and the discounts that I received for Christmas presents have definitely exceeded the $10 I paid. If the card cost more, I am not so sure that I would have purchased the membership if the discount I earned wouldn’t have been greater than the cost of the membership and offered free items.

People who reaped the benefits from the program and were frequent patrons of Starbucks might definitely be dismayed at the change in the program. The benefits might not be as great but there might be more participants if the program becomes free.

The recession’s end would feel differently if there were more people employed and finding a job weren’t so difficult. But even for those who are employed, it is difficult to say that the recession is over given the fact that there are so many examples of people who are out of work and the businesses large and small are still struggling.

Not everyone has been affected by the recession, not because of anything they have necessarily done, but because of luck and good management on the part of the companies where they are employed.

Is the recession really approaching an end? What would be the sign of the recession’s end to you?

 
Some of the best coupons used to come by mail, especially for local businesses, now they come via email and text message.

Sometimes you don’t feel like being bothered by wading through dozens of advertising emails though the payoff can definitely be worth it. Instead of having to search for coupons for items you purchase often and stores that you frequent, sign up for the email list when asked in stores. Some places send too many coupons but for places that you like to shop receiving frequent emails or even text messages about specials or e-coupons isn’t a bad thing.

Instead of having to read through lot of emails, even if you don’t want to read them, I just sort them alphabetically. Generally, the subject tells you whether or not there is a coupon or just an advertisement for a sale. Not interested in shopping at a particular store this week? Then just delete the message.

Also, when you sign up to receive coupons via email, then there are fewer coupons that you will receive via mail and this cuts down on junk mail and clutter at home.

Online isn’t always the best price.

I was looking to buy some tights before all the good colors were gone for the season and decided to check Amazon.com. After reading a few reviews I saw that the retailer didn’t go by the MSRP. Many times the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is higher or the same as what you actually pay, not less than unless the item is imported. The tights that I wanted to buy were higher than I the regular price at a brick and mortar store including tax. Plus, I had a coupon for the brick and mortar store so this time guess who won out?

I often check prices especially when time is not a pressing factor. In this case, time and the lower price would have been a factor.

Need to make a costume for a last minute party?

If you have old clothes around the house, you are one step closer to a great costume…

Check out these videos for more ideas!

Would you change your spending habits of the past?

Many people I know learned from their bad habits by not spending a lot of money on credit cards or not wasting their money on things they really can’t afford.

If nothing else comes out of the recession the greatest gift will be teaching people to have better money management skills and not to overspend.

I’m happy with my spending habits and my saving habits. There are some things that I think I probably should have bought (generally souvenirs) but didn’t. None of those items cost less than $100 and nothing changed my quality of life.

Saving all the time can be as detrimental as spending all the time, Waiting to spend because you aren’t sure if you are going to see something better doesn’t help you. When you are not spending money on small ticket items because you are saving for a large ticket item, then that is different.

Past spending habits and saving habits have made me the frugal person I am today. There are some things I won’t buy just because I can afford them and there are other things that I want and will save up for, which makes me appreciate the purchase more. If you know that you had to sacrifice to buy something or sacrifice to maintain it, then you might think more about the item.

Thinking before buying can leave cash in your pocket…