INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Shoppers were in full force at Fountain Square for Small Business Saturday. 

The National Retail Federation said it expects nearly 64.5 million people to shop on Small Business Saturday.

That includes the people coming to businesses here in the Fountain Square neighborhood. Local owners are excited to get involved. 

Many stores in Fountain Square opened at 9a.m., with many shoppers enjoying the chilly morning. 

“It’s going to be a fun day! We get a lot of business and good energy, so hope everyone comes out,” Brooke Tuggle, co-owner of Tuggle’s, said. 

Tuggle also said they have everything from stocking stuffers to presents and everything in between. 

“Everything that we have on here is on sale. We even have flowers and all kind of art goodies,” Tuggle said. 

Tuggle’s is also offering a chance for you to write a letter to Santa this year. 

“We have Santa visiting in a couple of weeks, and he’ll be responding to all of our letters and dropping off his replies here.” 

Santa will be making an appearance at Tuggle’s on Dec. 14.

According to the United States Census Bureau in 2023, the reported projected spending in the U.S. from those who shopped local on Small Business Saturday was around $17 billion. 

Since 2010, the total reported U.S. spending during Small Business Saturday is estimated at $201 billion. 

The Indianapolis Colts today released their Friday injury report for Week 13 of the NFL season ahead of their Sunday game against the New England Patriots.

Center Tanor Bortolini has been ruled OUT Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to a concussion. Bortolini has not practiced all week due to the injury as he was unable to pass through the concussion protocol. With Bortolini OUT this week expect to see Danny Pinter get his first start of the year in his place as Center. Pinter will be the Colts third starting Center this year.

Wide receiver Josh Downs has been ruled OUT Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to a shoulder injury. Downs has not practiced all week due to the injury and was described as a long shot to play this week. With Downs OUT this week expect to see rookie AD Mitchell get the lion share of Downs snaps.

Wide receiver Ashton Dulin has been ruled OUT Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to an ankle injury. Dulin like Downs has not practiced all week due to the injury and the Colts will need to replace two receivers snaps on offense and special teams. Expect to see more of rookie Anthony Gould this week.

Right tackle Braden Smith has been ruled OUT Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to a personal matter. Smith has not practiced all week due to the personal matter but not much light has been shed on the issue. With Smith OUT this week expect to see rookie Matt Goncalves line up at right tackle in place of Smith. Goncalves will be starting in his fifth game, four of which he had replaced Bernhard Raimann at left tackle. Goncalves will have his hands full with the Patriots defensive line which boasts some good pass rushers.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game against the Patriots with a foot injury. Pierce missed two practices earlier in the week but managed to practice fully today. Shan Steichen said he expect Pierce to play but there are no guarantees he will be available. The Colts could go into Sunday’s game down three of their top four receivers.

INDIANAPOLIS — Holiday shopping is very big business.

In 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau found that the average American household’s retail spending for that December was $3,800. As a nation, the holiday shopping retail tab was a whopping $531.8-billion. Again, that’s just retail spending.

And where that amount money goes, thieves are sure to follow.

That same year across the state of Indiana, Capital One Shoppers Research found retailers lost $1.512 billion to theft.

To protect retailers and customers in Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department plans to be more visible at city shopping centers.

“What we do is have extra patrols (along North Keystone Avenue), and up in 82^nd Street and 86^th Street corridors,” said IMPD Captain Shane Foley. “Our goal is to reduce crime and to make arrests if those things happen.”

Those patrols, dubbed “Holiday Helpers,” are both inside and outside stores. They are intended to deter would-be thieves and assure shoppers IMPD is there to protect them and their purchases.

IMPD will maintain an elevated presence at retails locations through Dec. 29, but more uniformed patrols is not the only line of defense for retailers.

Indianapolis-based shopping mall giant Simon has a security hub. Inside, there are teams of analysts reviewing data and video cameras from its nearly 200 shopping center across the country. In real time, security assessments are made using advanced technology.

“They’re looking at a lot of different things,” Simon Chief Security Officer Russ Tuttle said in a March 2023 interview. “Artificial intelligence. They’re looking at cameras. They’re taking in phone calls. They’re dispatching security officers and police officers around the country.”

There are also signs of increased law enforcement success in thwarting organized retail theft.

Just this week, Queens NY District Attorney Melinda Katz announced a multi-state theft ring has been broken up. The operation allegedly is responsible for stealing $2 million in perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, and other beauty items and then reselling them.

Katz noted that “this group also shipped thousands of products to the Dominican Republic, where they also operated a brick-and-mortar retail store.”

The stores targeted included Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, and American Eagle.

Commonly, the cost of retail inventory losses through theft are passed along in the form of price increases paid for by consumers.

One-way shoppers can protect themselves after making purchases by ensuring their items are not left in plain sight inside their vehicles. IMPD urges people to store purses, packages, parcels and backpacks in the trunk, so they are not visible to would-be thieves.