Cash mob

Short description: Group of people assembling at a business to make purchases

A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business to make purchases. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. They may also serve a secondary purpose in providing social opportunities. They are a form of flash mob, and are inspired by them.[1] The cash mob is related to the carrotmob, which supports companies for ethical, mainly pro-environmental actions.[2]

Cash mobs also sometimes mobilize to raise money for a cause, as in the case of the cash mob that descended on a Planned Parenthood in Portland, Maine in October 2012, raising $2,000 in minutes.[3]

## History

As reported by Public Radio International, the idea of a cash mob was first started by Chris Smith, a blogger and engineer from Buffalo, New York, in August 2011 at a wine shop in Buffalo. He organized more than 100 people to purchase items from City Wine Merchant on August 5. Smith described the mobs as a "reverse Groupon" that are meant to make a "chance for business owners to begin building a longer-term relationship with customers".[4][5]

A group of people living in Cleveland, claim to be the originators of the term and event. Their first cash mob event was started on November 16, 2011 where they gathered around 40 people to shop at a local bookstore. After the event, the group started a blog to popularize the idea, leading to other cash mobs being started in other cities. The group from Cleveland has stated that, after the idea of cash mobs began being picked up by Occupy Wall Street groups, cash mobs are not meant to be "a political or social organization ... or meant to be an answer to economic crisis."[6][7]

After the concept was started in general, the popularity of cash mobs began spreading through sites like Facebook and Twitter, eventually leading to cash mobs being formed in more than 32 states and in Canada.[4] Local radio stations have also seen extensive use by cash mob organizers to inform others.[6][8]

One of the earliest cash mob blogs created a list of "Mob Rules" that advised how other cash mobs should be coordinated.[9] These rules included "choosing stores that are locally owned ... getting approval from the store's owners and setting a $20 spending commitment for mobbers." Other rules include having the mob gathering near a local bar or restaurant that the group can attend after the shopping event.[10][11]

## Locations

Cash mob groups have been started in a number of different cities:

* Adrian, Ohio[12]
* Ann Arbor, Michigan[13]
* Arcata, California[14]
* Atlanta[15]
* Austin, Texas[16]
* Bellport, New York[17]
* Blacksburg, Virginia[18]
* Buffalo, New York[5]
* Carbondale, Colorado[19]
* Charlottesville, Virginia[20]
* Chilliwack, British Columbia[21]
* Cleveland Heights, Ohio[22]
* Colleyville, Texas[23]
* Coldwater, Michigan[24]
* Columbia, South Carolina[16]
* Detroit[25]
* Eugene, Oregon[26]
* Elmira, New York[27]
* Elyria, Ohio[28]
* Fort Myers, Florida[29]
* Folsom, California[30]
* Fort Smith, Arkansas[31]
* Franklin, North Carolina[32]
* Gaylord, Michigan[33]
* Halifax, Nova Scotia[34]
* Hamilton Township (Mercer), New Jersey[35]
* Hampton, New York[36]
* Hayward, California[37]
* Hutchinson, Kansas[38]
* Independence, Ohio[39]
* Ithaca, New York[40]
* Kansas City, Missouri[41]
* Kingwood, Texas[42]
* Knoxville, Tennessee[43]
* Lompoc, California[7]
* Levittown, New York[7][44]
* Long Beach, California[45]
* Loveland, Colorado[46]
* Mansfield, Texas[47]
* Montpelier, Vermont[48]
* Muskegon, Michigan[6]
* Norman, Oklahoma[6]
* Oakland, California[6]
* Ohio City, Ohio[22]
* Richmond, Virginia[49]
* San Antonio, Texas[50]
* San Diego[51]
* Scranton, Pennsylvania[52]
* Spring Arbor, Michigan[53]
* Topeka, Kansas[54]
* Tremont, Ohio[22]
* Warwick, Rhode Island[16]
* Wilmington, North Carolina[55]
* Windsor, Ontario[56]
* Sarnia, Ontario[57]
* St. Albert, Alberta[58]

The Chamber of Commerce in Huntington, New York has supported the creation of a cash mob, forming it into a "monthly event to help support local businesses and bring attention to the area as a retail destination." Chamber members said that, after the first location, the future ones will be chosen via a lottery and that participants will "receive 20 percent discounts, and refreshments will be served," but are expected to spend more than $20.[59]

The Cash Mob in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, is organized by Heidi Fedoruk from Leading Edge Physiotherapy and has been running since September 2012. They have mobbed 33 local businesses, averaging 60 mobbers per evening, with a high of 122. She has been keeping statistics and they have created a stimulus of over $100,000 infused into the local economy, twenty dollars at a time. One business saw $3400 sales in one hour, which they had never done before in a week. The St. Albert Cash Mob is frequently featured in the local newspapers https://web.archive.org/web/20140827154824/http://www.stalbertleader.com/cashmob/ as well as television including this link to [1]

In Levittown, New York a cash mob for a local stationery store owner was made into a short documentary, Cash Mob for Avi, and was selected into the Big Apple Film Festival in 2014.

## References

1. ↑ McIntyre, Michael K. (13 November 2011). "'Cash mobs' replace 'flash mobs' using fistfuls of dollars: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff". Cleveland.com. http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2011/11/cash_mobs_replace_flash_mobs_u.html. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
2. ↑ Hoffmann, Stefan; Hutter, Katharina (2011). "Carrotmob as a New Form of Ethical Consumption. The Nature of the Concept and Avenues for Future Research". Journal of Consumer Policy 35 (2): 215–236. doi:10.1007/s10603-011-9185-2.
3. ↑ "'Cash mobs' throw support, money behind Planned Parenthood". 19 October 2012. http://www.necn.com/10/19/12/Cash-mobs-throw-support-money-behind-Pla/landing.html?blockID=790983.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Staff writer (February 23, 2012). "'Cash Mobs' profit locally owned stores". Public Radio International. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120226205717/http://www.pri.org/stories/business/social-entrepreneurs/cash-mobs-profit-locally-owned-stores-8498.html. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harold McNeil (August 6, 2011). "Buffalo Cash Mob helps local wine shop". The Buffalo News. http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/downtown/article513906.ece. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Emily Maltby (December 27, 2011). "'Cash Mobs' Help Ignite Buy-Local Effort". The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204464404577114792428726720. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Staff writer (February 13, 2012). "'Cash Mob' Helps Lompoc Flower Business Bloom". Pizza Magazine Quarterly. http://pmq.com/news/news.php?id=15567. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
8. ↑ Mary Beth Quirk (February 24, 2012). "Cash Mobs Are Way Better At Helping Boost Local Businesses Than Flash Mobs". The Consumerist. http://consumerist.com/2012/02/cash-mobs-are-way-better-at-helping-local-businesses-than-flash-mobs.html. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
9. ↑ Mob Rules, Wordpress; accessed 2012.03.01.
10. ↑ Giselle Smith (February 16, 2012). "'Cash mobs' target local businesses". MSN. http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=014a5269-19b8-40ab-8b2b-53cd13c3d4ca. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
11. ↑ Patricia Orsini (February 24, 2012). "With a Tweet, Cash Mobs Rescue Local Businesses". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2012/02/24/with-a-tweet-cash-mobs-rescue-local-businesses.html.
12. ↑ Dick Berry (February 12, 2012). "Cash mob encourages people to visit landmark Adrian business". WTOL. http://www.wtol.com/story/16916727/cash-mob-encourages-people-to-visit-landmark-adrian-business. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
13. ↑ Craig Johnson (February 27, 2012). "'Cash mobs' coming to a store near you!". HLNtv.com. http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/02/24/cash-mobs-new-craze-sends-shoppers-local-businesses. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
14. ↑ Jennifer McFadden (January 30, 2013). "'Cash mob' boosts local businesses". Times-Standard. http://www.times-standard.com/therev/ci_22479331/cash-mob-boosts-local-businesses. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
15. ↑ Jennifer Leslie (February 26, 2012). ""Cash Mob" draws big crowd to support crime victims". WXIA-TV. http://www.11alive.com/news/article/229839/40/Cash-Mob-draws-big-crowd-to-support-crime-victims. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Dave Stancliff (February 26, 2012). "As It Stands: Cash mobs: Reprieves for struggling Mom & Pop businesses". Times-Standard. http://www.times-standard.com/guest_opinion/ci_20048802. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
17. ↑ Erin Geismar (January 31, 2012). "Bellport cash mob is huge success". Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/bellport-cash-mob-is-huge-success-1.3491886. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
18. ↑ Dawn Jefferies (February 22, 2012). "Blacksburg to hold 'Cash Mob'". WSLS. http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/feb/22/blacksburg-hold-cash-mob-ar-1708769/. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
19. ↑ Penny Parker (February 7, 2012). "Parker: Cash Mob mentality helping Carbondale businesses". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/pennyparker/ci_19907419. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
20. ↑ Nate Delesline (March 14, 2012). "Cash Mob coming to Charlottesville". The Daily Progress. https://www.dailyprogress.com/business/cash-mob-coming-to-charlottesville/article_624c36f8-fc6d-5b2a-a434-e95c13d5b584.html. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
21. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/CashModChilliwack [user-generated source]
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Brian Byrne (February 10, 2012). "'Cash mob' hits Cleveland Heights' Big Fun". The Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/cleveland-heights/index.ssf/2012/02/cash_mob_hits_cleveland_height.html. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
23. ↑ Dan Bennnet (2015). "Colleyville Cash Mobs". colleyville.com. http://www.colleyville.com/news/article752.html. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
24. ↑ Kevin North (2013). "MyColdwater.com Cash Mobs". MyColdwater.com. http://www.mycoldwater.com/cashmob.html. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
25. ↑ Jonathan Oosting (February 9, 2012). "Detroit Cash Mob to shop during day, after work at Inside Detroit". MLive. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/02/detroit_cash_mob_to_shop_durin.html. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
26. ↑ Chris Curtis (March 17, 2012). "Cash Mob Craze Hits Eugene". KEZI. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120419155038/http://kezi.com/news/local/241787. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
27. ↑ Renata Stiehl (February 15, 2012). "Cash Mob Targets Elmira Restaurant". WENY-TV. http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=9163962. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
28. ↑ Jason Henry (February 12, 2012). "Hardware store gets boost from cash mob". The Morning Journal. http://morningjournal.com/articles/2012/02/12/news/mj5727852.txt. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
29. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/FMcashmob [user-generated source]
30. ↑ Staff writer (February 25, 2012). "'Cash Mob' Invades Folsom Restaurant". KOVR. http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/02/25/cash-mob-invades-folsom-restaurant/. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
31. ↑ Chad Hunter (April 7, 2012). "Store 'Mobbing' Not The Last, Group Says". Times Record. http://swtimes.com/sections/news/store-‘mobbing’-not-last-group-says.html. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
32. ↑ Teresa S. Tabor (December 6, 2012). "Successful venture deserves local support". Macon News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130110080651/http://www.maconnews.com/opinion/4026-successful-venture-deserves-local-support. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
33. ↑ Christopher Gibson (November 5, 2016). "Rotary Cash Mob". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WPgwX5PXE. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
34. ↑ "'Cash mob' to help Halifax barber". CBC News. April 25, 2012. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cash-mob-to-help-halifax-barber-1.1270904.
35. ↑ Daniel Keelan (March 15, 2012). "Hamilton Township, NJ". http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1342157977#!/pages/Hamilton-Township-NJ-Cash-Mob/306226496101693. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
36. ↑ Nicole B. Brewer (May 4, 2012). "Cash Mob East End Plans A Hit In Sag Harbor". Hamptons.com. http://www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/17078/Cash-Mob-East-End-Plans-A-Hit-In-Sag-Harbor.html#.T-kwzbWmivg. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
37. ↑ "Hayward councilman organizes cash mob to bolster local business", San Jose Mercury News, November 27, 2012
38. ↑ Kathy Hanks (March 4, 2012). "Boosting local business is aim of national movement". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120308001920/http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/Mon--Cash-Mob--1. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
39. ↑ Dan Jovic (February 23, 2012). "Fox 8 Cash Mob Set for Feb. 29 at Brielle's Coffee and Tea House". Fox 8. http://fox8.com/2012/02/23/fox-8-cash-mob-set-for-feb-29-at-brielles-coffee-and-tea-house/. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
40. ↑ Tamara Lindstrom (March 12, 2012). "Cash Mob Aids Vandalized Store". Your News Now. http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/top_stories/576804/-cash-mob--aids-vandalized-store/. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
41. ↑ Diane Stafford (January 17, 2012). "Cash Mob debut brings shoppers to locally owned retailers". http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/17/3374672/cash-mob-debut-brings-shoppers.html. Retrieved January 18, 2012.
42. ↑ Stefanie Thomas (February 10, 2012). "Kingwood Cash Mob debuts at area laundromat in support of small, local businesses". Humble Observer. http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/kingwood-cash-mob-debuts-at-area-laundromat-in-support-of/article_d9ffed92-3466-5fe7-ace7-c166cd50d093.html. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
43. ↑ Jennifer Meckles (February 1, 2012). "Emery's 5 & 10 report steady Saturday business". WBIR. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/205141/2/Update-Cash-Mob-success-continuing-through-weekend. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
44. ↑ Daniel Offner (July 8, 2014). "Levittown Loves Avi". http://danieloffner.com/levittown-loves-avi/.
45. ↑ Karen Robes Meeks (March 15, 2012). "The Bottom Line: Harnessing flash mobs to help local businesses". http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_20184217/bottom-line-harnessing-flash-mobs-help-local-businesses. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
46. ↑ Shelley Widhalm (March 31, 2012). "Cash Mob Targets Loveland Businesses". http://www.reporterherald.com/ci_20294434?source=share_fb&fb_source=message.
47. ↑ "Historic Mansfield Cash Mob". https://www.facebook.com/cmhistoricmansfield.
48. ↑ . http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/282167648526287/.
49. ↑ Amy David (February 21, 2012). "Cash mob hits Richmond". Richmond Biz Sense. http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/02/21/cash-mobs-hit-richmond/. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
50. ↑ Ron Jay (March 4, 2012). "San Antonio Cash Mob on the Horizon". Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314200138/http://www.cashmob.com/san-antonio-cash-mob-on-the-horizon. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
51. ↑ Beth Accomando and Maureen Cavanaugh (February 13, 2012). "Cash Mob Returns To San Diego". KPBS. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/feb/13/san-diego-cash-mob/. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
52. ↑ Renie Workman (February 20, 2012). "Cash Mob Hits Pizza Place". WNEP. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120223175417/http://www.wnep.com/wnep-lacka-cash-mob-hits-pizza-place-20120220,0,1680992.story. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
53. ↑ Lonnie Huhman (February 25, 2012). "'Cash mob' idea at Spring Arbor Lumber results in 200 percent increase in sales". MLive. http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/02/cash_mob_idea_at_spring_arbor.html. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
54. ↑ Phil Anderson /url=http://cjonline.com/life/religion/2012-08-17/churchs-cash-mob-keeps-topeka-registers-ringing/+(August 17, 2012). "Church's cash mob keeps Topeka's register ringing". The Topeka Capital-Journal.
55. ↑ "'Cash mob' boosts business at downtown shop". WECT. February 25, 2012. http://www.wect.com/story/17018378/cash-mob-boosts-business-at-downtown-shop. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
56. ↑ "Cash mob coming to Windsor". CBC.ca. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/cash-mob-coming-to-windsor-1.1199199.
57. ↑ Cathy Dobson (April 18, 2012). "A flash of cash". Sarnia Observer. http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/04/18/a-flash-of-cash. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
58. ↑ "Cash Mob St. Albert — St. Albert Leader". http://www.stalbertleader.com/cashmob/.
59. ↑ Carl Corry (February 13, 2012). "Huntington chamber to hold cash mob Thursday". Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/huntington-chamber-to-hold-cash-mob-thursday-1.3526345. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

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