Are American Businesses More Prepared Today for a Terrorist Attack Than They Were on September 11, 2001?
We've all heard, and perhaps even said, how 9/11 changed everything in America. But, what exactly does that mean for American businesses and, for our purposes, retailers in the U.S.?
A Boston Globe poll found 93 percent of people surveyed believe a terrorist attack in the U.S. is either very or somewhat likely in the next several years. More than half believe the risk of a terror attack has increased since the U.S. began its "war on terror" in Afghanistan five years ago.
Even with many expecting an attack at some point, most consumers have not altered their way of living. Consider, for example, the 84 percent who say they make no adjustments to their behavior when the federal government raises its color-coded threat level.
Charles Syracuse of Cambridge, Mass. sums up the feelings of many on the preparedness issue. "I haven't made any changes. Realistically, what can you change?"
Discussion Questions: Is an attack on a so-called 'soft target' in the U.S. more likely than it was five years ago? Are American retailers more prepared today for a possible attack than they were five years ago? In what ways have security measures changed over that time?