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.{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2011/11/cash_mobs_replace_flash_mobs_u.html|title='Cash mobs' replace 'flash mobs' using fistfuls of dollars: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff|last=McIntyre|first=Michael K.|date=13 November 2011|work=Cleveland.com|accessdate=1 March 2012}} The cash mob is related to the carrotmob, which supports companies for ethical, mainly pro-environmental actions.{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s10603-011-9185-2|title=Carrotmob as a New Form of Ethical Consumption. The Nature of the Concept and Avenues for Future Research|year=2011|last1=Hoffmann|first1=Stefan|last2=Hutter|first2=Katharina|journal=Journal of Consumer Policy|volume=35|issue=2|pages=215–236|s2cid=154358534}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.necn.com/10/19/12/Cash-mobs-throw-support-money-behind-Pla/landing.html?blockID=790983 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129155338/http://www.necn.com/10/19/12/Cash-mobs-throw-support-money-behind-Pla/landing.html?blockID=790983 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2013 |title='Cash mobs' throw support, money behind Planned Parenthood |date=19 October 2012 }}
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".{{cite news |title=Buffalo Cash Mob helps local wine shop |author=Harold McNeil |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/downtown/article513906.ece |newspaper=The Buffalo News |date=August 6, 2011 |accessdate=February 26, 2012}}
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."{{cite news|title='Cash Mob' Helps Lompoc Flower Business Bloom |author=Staff writer |url=http://pmq.com/news/news.php?id=15567 |newspaper=Pizza Magazine Quarterly |date=February 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |author-link=Staff writer }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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.{{cite news |title='Cash Mobs' profit locally owned stores |author=Staff writer |url=http://www.pri.org/stories/business/social-entrepreneurs/cash-mobs-profit-locally-owned-stores-8498.html |newspaper=Public Radio International |date=February 23, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226205717/http://www.pri.org/stories/business/social-entrepreneurs/cash-mobs-profit-locally-owned-stores-8498.html |archivedate=February 26, 2012 |author-link=Staff writer }} Local radio stations have also seen extensive use by cash mob organizers to inform others.{{cite news |title='Cash Mobs' Help Ignite Buy-Local Effort |author=Emily Maltby |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204464404577114792428726720 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 27, 2011 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}{{cite news |title=Cash Mobs Are Way Better At Helping Boost Local Businesses Than Flash Mobs |author=Mary Beth Quirk |url=http://consumerist.com/2012/02/cash-mobs-are-way-better-at-helping-local-businesses-than-flash-mobs.html |newspaper=The Consumerist |date=February 24, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |archive-date=February 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227030043/http://consumerist.com/2012/02/cash-mobs-are-way-better-at-helping-local-businesses-than-flash-mobs.html |url-status=dead }}
One of the earliest cash mob blogs created a list of "Mob Rules" that advised how other cash mobs should be coordinated.[http://cashmobs.wordpress.com/rules-2/ Mob Rules], Wordpress; accessed 2012.03.01. 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.{{cite news |title='Cash mobs' target local businesses |author=Giselle Smith |url=http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=014a5269-19b8-40ab-8b2b-53cd13c3d4ca |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129043646/http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=014a5269-19b8-40ab-8b2b-53cd13c3d4ca |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |newspaper=MSN |date=February 16, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 }}{{cite news |title=With a Tweet, Cash Mobs Rescue Local Businesses |author=Patricia Orsini |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/02/24/with-a-tweet-cash-mobs-rescue-local-businesses.html |newspaper=CNBC |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2012}}
Locations
Cash mob groups have been started in a number of different cities:
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- Adrian, Ohio{{cite news |title=Cash mob encourages people to visit landmark Adrian business |author=Dick Berry |url=http://www.wtol.com/story/16916727/cash-mob-encourages-people-to-visit-landmark-adrian-business |newspaper=WTOL |date=February 12, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Ann Arbor, Michigan{{cite news |title='Cash mobs' coming to a store near you! |author=Craig Johnson |url=http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/02/24/cash-mobs-new-craze-sends-shoppers-local-businesses |newspaper=HLNtv.com |date=February 27, 2012 |accessdate=February 27, 2012}}
- Arcata, California{{cite news |title='Cash mob' boosts local businesses |author=Jennifer McFadden |url=http://www.times-standard.com/therev/ci_22479331/cash-mob-boosts-local-businesses |newspaper=Times-Standard |date=January 30, 2013 |accessdate=January 30, 2013}}
- Atlanta{{cite news|title="Cash Mob" draws big crowd to support crime victims |author=Jennifer Leslie |url=http://www.11alive.com/news/article/229839/40/Cash-Mob-draws-big-crowd-to-support-crime-victims |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718080916/http://www.11alive.com/news/article/229839/40/Cash-Mob-draws-big-crowd-to-support-crime-victims |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |newspaper=WXIA-TV |date=February 26, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2012 }}
- Austin, Texas
- Bellport, New York{{cite news |title=Bellport cash mob is huge success |author=Erin Geismar |url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/bellport-cash-mob-is-huge-success-1.3491886 |newspaper=Newsday |date=January 31, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Blacksburg, Virginia{{cite news|title=Blacksburg to hold 'Cash Mob' |author=Dawn Jefferies |url=http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/feb/22/blacksburg-hold-cash-mob-ar-1708769/ |newspaper=WSLS |date=February 22, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Buffalo, New York
- Carbondale, Colorado{{cite news |title=Parker: Cash Mob mentality helping Carbondale businesses |author=Penny Parker |url=http://www.denverpost.com/pennyparker/ci_19907419 |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=February 7, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Charlottesville, Virginia{{cite news|title=Cash Mob coming to Charlottesville
|author=Nate Delesline |url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/business/cash-mob-coming-to-charlottesville/article_624c36f8-fc6d-5b2a-a434-e95c13d5b584.html |newspaper=The Daily Progress |date=March 14, 2012 |accessdate=June 26, 2020}}
- Chilliwack, British Columbiahttp://www.facebook.com/CashModChilliwack {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}
- Cleveland Heights, Ohio{{cite news |title='Cash mob' hits Cleveland Heights' Big Fun |author=Brian Byrne |url=http://www.cleveland.com/cleveland-heights/index.ssf/2012/02/cash_mob_hits_cleveland_height.html |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |date=February 10, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Colleyville, Texas{{cite web | author= Dan Bennnet | title= Colleyville Cash Mobs | year= 2015 | work= colleyville.com | url= http://www.colleyville.com/news/article752.html | accessdate= January 17, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070435/http://www.colleyville.com/news/article752.html | archive-date= March 4, 2016 | url-status= dead }}
- Coldwater, Michigan{{cite web | author= Kevin North | title= MyColdwater.com Cash Mobs | year=2013 | work= MyColdwater.com | url= http://www.mycoldwater.com/cashmob.html | accessdate=April 21, 2013 }}
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Detroit{{cite news |title=Detroit Cash Mob to shop during day, after work at Inside Detroit |author=Jonathan Oosting |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/02/detroit_cash_mob_to_shop_durin.html |newspaper=MLive |date=February 9, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Eugene, Oregon{{cite news |title=Cash Mob Craze Hits Eugene |author=Chris Curtis |url=http://kezi.com/news/local/241787 |newspaper=KEZI |date=March 17, 2012 |accessdate=June 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419155038/http://kezi.com/news/local/241787 |archivedate=April 19, 2012 }}
- Elmira, New York{{cite news|title=Cash Mob Targets Elmira Restaurant |author=Renata Stiehl |url=http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=9163962 |newspaper=WENY-TV |date=February 15, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Elyria, Ohio{{cite news |title=Hardware store gets boost from cash mob |author=Jason Henry |url=http://morningjournal.com/articles/2012/02/12/news/mj5727852.txt |newspaper=The Morning Journal |date=February 12, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216011448/http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/02/12/news/mj5727852.txt |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
- Fort Myers, Floridahttp://www.facebook.com/FMcashmob {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}
- Folsom, California{{cite news |title='Cash Mob' Invades Folsom Restaurant |author=Staff writer |url=http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/02/25/cash-mob-invades-folsom-restaurant/ |newspaper=KOVR |date=February 25, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2012|author-link=Staff writer }}
- Fort Smith, Arkansas{{cite news |title=Store 'Mobbing' Not The Last, Group Says |author=Chad Hunter |url=http://swtimes.com/sections/news/store-%E2%80%98mobbing%E2%80%99-not-last-group-says.html |newspaper=Times Record |date=April 7, 2012 |accessdate=June 25, 2012 |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622064755/http://swtimes.com/sections/news/store-%E2%80%98mobbing%E2%80%99-not-last-group-says.html |url-status=dead }}
- Franklin, North Carolina{{cite news |title=Successful venture deserves local support |author=Teresa S. Tabor |url=http://maconnews.com/opinion/4026-successful-venture-deserves-local-support |newspaper=Macon News |date=December 6, 2012 |accessdate=June 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110080651/http://www.maconnews.com/opinion/4026-successful-venture-deserves-local-support |archivedate=January 10, 2013 }}
- Gaylord, Michigan{{cite news |title=Rotary Cash Mob |author=Christopher Gibson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WPgwX5PXE |date=November 5, 2016 |accessdate=November 7, 2016}}
- Halifax, Nova Scotia{{cite news |title='Cash mob' to help Halifax barber |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cash-mob-to-help-halifax-barber-1.1270904 |newspaper=CBC News |date=April 25, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2012}}
- Hamilton Township (Mercer), New Jersey{{cite news |title=Hamilton Township, NJ|author=Daniel Keelan|url=http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1342157977#!/pages/Hamilton-Township-NJ-Cash-Mob/306226496101693 |date=March 15, 2012 |accessdate=March 15, 2012}}
- Hampton, New York{{cite news |title=Cash Mob East End Plans A Hit In Sag Harbor |author=Nicole B. Brewer |url=http://www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/17078/Cash-Mob-East-End-Plans-A-Hit-In-Sag-Harbor.html#.T-kwzbWmivg |newspaper=Hamptons.com |date=May 4, 2012 |accessdate=June 25, 2012 |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318085218/http://www.hamptons.com/News/Main-Articles/17078/Cash-Mob-East-End-Plans-A-Hit-In-Sag-Harbor.html#.T-kwzbWmivg |url-status=dead }}
- Hayward, California[http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_22075342/hayward-councilman-organizes-cash-mob-bolster-local-business "Hayward councilman organizes cash mob to bolster local business", San Jose Mercury News, November 27, 2012]
- Hutchinson, Kansas{{cite news |title=Boosting local business is aim of national movement |author=Kathy Hanks |url=http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/Mon--Cash-Mob--1 |date=March 4, 2012 |accessdate=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308001920/http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/Mon--Cash-Mob--1 |archivedate=March 8, 2012 }}
- Independence, Ohio{{cite news|title=Fox 8 Cash Mob Set for Feb. 29 at Brielle's Coffee and Tea House |author=Dan Jovic |url=http://fox8.com/2012/02/23/fox-8-cash-mob-set-for-feb-29-at-brielles-coffee-and-tea-house/ |newspaper=Fox 8 |date=February 23, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Ithaca, New York{{cite news |title=Cash Mob Aids Vandalized Store |author=Tamara Lindstrom |url=http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/top_stories/576804/-cash-mob--aids-vandalized-store/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210024254/http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/top_stories/576804/-cash-mob--aids-vandalized-store/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2013 |newspaper=Your News Now |date=March 12, 2012 |accessdate=March 24, 2012 }}
- Kansas City, Missouri{{cite news |title=Cash Mob debut brings shoppers to locally owned retailers |author=Diane Stafford |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/17/3374672/cash-mob-debut-brings-shoppers.html |date=January 17, 2012 |accessdate=January 18, 2012}}
- Kingwood, Texas{{cite news |title=Kingwood Cash Mob debuts at area laundromat in support of small, local businesses |author=Stefanie Thomas |url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/kingwood-cash-mob-debuts-at-area-laundromat-in-support-of/article_d9ffed92-3466-5fe7-ace7-c166cd50d093.html |newspaper=Humble Observer |date=February 10, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Knoxville, Tennessee{{cite news|title=Emery's 5 & 10 report steady Saturday business |author=Jennifer Meckles |url=http://www.wbir.com/news/article/205141/2/Update-Cash-Mob-success-continuing-through-weekend |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209213646/http://www.wbir.com/news/article/205141/2/Update-Cash-Mob-success-continuing-through-weekend |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |newspaper=WBIR |date=February 1, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 }}
- Lompoc, California
- Levittown, New York{{cite news |title=Levittown Loves Avi |author=Daniel Offner |url= http://danieloffner.com/levittown-loves-avi/ |date=July 8, 2014}}
- Long Beach, California{{cite news |title=The Bottom Line: Harnessing flash mobs to help local businesses |author=Karen Robes Meeks |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_20184217/bottom-line-harnessing-flash-mobs-help-local-businesses |date=March 15, 2012 |accessdate=March 26, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Loveland, Colorado{{cite news |title=Cash Mob Targets Loveland Businesses |author=Shelley Widhalm |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/ci_20294434?source=share_fb&fb_source=message |date=March 31, 2012}}
- Mansfield, Texas{{cite news|title=Historic Mansfield Cash Mob|url=https://www.facebook.com/cmhistoricmansfield}}
- Montpelier, Vermont{{cite news|url=http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/282167648526287/}}
- Muskegon, Michigan
- Norman, Oklahoma
- Oakland, California
- Ohio City, Ohio
- Richmond, Virginia{{cite news |title=Cash mob hits Richmond |author=Amy David |url=http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/02/21/cash-mobs-hit-richmond/ |newspaper=Richmond Biz Sense |date=February 21, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- San Antonio, Texas{{cite news |title=San Antonio Cash Mob on the Horizon |author=Ron Jay |url=http://www.cashmob.com/san-antonio-cash-mob-on-the-horizon |date=March 4, 2012 |accessdate=March 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314200138/http://www.cashmob.com/san-antonio-cash-mob-on-the-horizon |archivedate=March 14, 2012 }}
- San Diego{{cite news |title=Cash Mob Returns To San Diego |author=Beth Accomando and Maureen Cavanaugh |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/feb/13/san-diego-cash-mob/ |newspaper=KPBS |date=February 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
- Scranton, Pennsylvania{{cite news |title=Cash Mob Hits Pizza Place |author=Renie Workman |url=http://www.wnep.com/wnep-lacka-cash-mob-hits-pizza-place-20120220,0,1680992.story |newspaper=WNEP |date=February 20, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223175417/http://www.wnep.com/wnep-lacka-cash-mob-hits-pizza-place-20120220%2C0%2C1680992.story |archivedate=February 23, 2012 }}
- Spring Arbor, Michigan{{cite news |title='Cash mob' idea at Spring Arbor Lumber results in 200 percent increase in sales |author=Lonnie Huhman |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/02/cash_mob_idea_at_spring_arbor.html |newspaper=MLive |date=February 25, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2012}}
- Topeka, Kansas{{cite news |title=Church's cash mob keeps Topeka's register ringing |author=Phil Anderson /url=http://cjonline.com/life/religion/2012-08-17/churchs-cash-mob-keeps-topeka-registers-ringing/ |newspaper=The Topeka Capital-Journal |date=August 17, 2012 }}
- Tremont, Ohio
- Warwick, Rhode Island{{cite news |title=As It Stands: Cash mobs: Reprieves for struggling Mom & Pop businesses |author=Dave Stancliff |url=http://www.times-standard.com/guest_opinion/ci_20048802 |newspaper=Times-Standard |date=February 26, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501050150/http://www.times-standard.com/guest_opinion/ci_20048802 |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
- Wilmington, North Carolina{{cite news |title='Cash mob' boosts business at downtown shop |url=http://www.wect.com/story/17018378/cash-mob-boosts-business-at-downtown-shop |newspaper=WECT |date=February 25, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2012}}
- Windsor, Ontario{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/cash-mob-coming-to-windsor-1.1199199|title=Cash mob coming to Windsor|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=2012-03-17}}
- Sarnia, Ontario{{cite news |title=A flash of cash |author=Cathy Dobson |url=http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/04/18/a-flash-of-cash |newspaper=Sarnia Observer |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235404/http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/04/18/a-flash-of-cash |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
- St. Albert, Alberta{{cite news|url=http://www.stalbertleader.com/cashmob/|title=Cash Mob St. Albert — St. Albert Leader|access-date=2014-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827154824/http://www.stalbertleader.com/cashmob/|archive-date=2014-08-27|url-status=dead}}
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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.{{cite news |title=Huntington chamber to hold cash mob Thursday |author=Carl Corry |url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/long-island-now-1.1732330/huntington-chamber-to-hold-cash-mob-thursday-1.3526345 |newspaper=Newsday |date=February 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}
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 http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=382812&playlistId=1.1872088&binId=1.1203428&playlistPageNum=1
In Levittown, New York a cash mob for a local stationery store owner was made into a short documentary, [http://cashmobforavi.com/ Cash Mob for Avi], and was selected into the Big Apple Film Festival in 2014.