Cash Mobs Help Local Businesses and the Economy

June 06, 2013

'Cash Mob' Phenomenon Supports Local Business

Welcome to American Mosaic from VOA Learning English.

I’m Onka Dekker.

Today, we play new music from British soprano Sarah Brightman that was inspired by her upcoming space trip.

We also learn how some Californians are working to build friendships between Jews and Muslims…

But first, we tell about some Americans who have found an interesting new way to help local businesses and the larger economy.

Cash Mobs

The American economy grew strongly in the first three months of this year. A big part of that growth came from the largest increase in consumer spending since the end of 2010.

Christopher Cruise tells us about one new activity that is helping smaller, local businesses get more of that consumer spending.

What do you get when you combine a store’s need for more sales with people who live in the area and have money to spend?

A cash mob.

Sara Pierce is one of many people who have come to a local business to spend money and be a part of the mob.

“We’re mobbing the business, so that’s the cash mob.”

The cash mob was organized through social media. It is like a flash mob, where large groups gather in a public area to dance. But instead of dancing, people in cash mobs are spending.